K J Maxy Accuses MLA Muhammed Shiyas of Misleading Public on Tetrapod Sea Wall Project

Kochi: Former MLA K J Maxy has criticized the speech made by MLA Muhammed Shiyas in the Legislative Assembly regarding the tetrapod sea wall project, alleging that the remarks were factually inaccurate and intended to mislead the public.

According to Maxy, following the devastating impact of Cyclone Ockhi, the government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan allocated ₹314 crore to implement a permanent solution to coastal erosion and sea intrusion in Chellanam. Under the first phase of the project, a 7.5-kilometre sea wall was constructed from the harbour area to Puthenthodu.

He further stated that ₹404 crore had subsequently been sanctioned for the second phase of the project. While the proposal was moving through the process for technical approval, then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the completed first phase and also formally launched the second phase of construction.

Maxy alleged that Shiyas's claim that the second phase had not received approval was part of an attempt to undermine the project. He argued that efforts to create public confusion over the status of the project were aimed at evading responsibility and asserted that the people would not accept such attempts to distort the facts.

The remarks have added a political dimension to the ongoing debate over the progress and implementation of coastal protection measures in the Chellanam region.