Expert committee report: Vizhinjam Port construction not linked to coastal erosion and sea fury

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to the report of the expert study committee, accidents in sea at Muthalappozhi, Shangumukham and Muttathara, as well as the capsizing of fishing vessels by hitting the reefs, are not due to environmental problems in the construction of Vizhinjam port. The report may be submitted today to Minister V N Vasava.

The government appointed an expert committee to study coastal erosion as part of resolving the Vizhinjam strike.

The study was conducted by a four-member committee headed by MD Kudale from the Central Water and Power Research Station. The committee was formed in January last year and was asked to submit an interim report in May and a final report in July, but this did not happen. Then, in July, the term of the committee was extended for six months, which ended in January. The report is now expected to be submitted.

The Latin Archdiocese argued that the port construction was the cause of severe sea attacks in Thiruvananthapuram.

The report also indicates that Thiruvananthapuram experiences natural coastal erosion. Port construction does not significantly affect coastal erosion, as sea attacks were reported even before the construction of the port. The government did not consider the demand to include a representative of the Latin Archdiocese in the expert committee. Therefore, the Latin Council may not accept the report. Other members of the study committee include Vice Chancellor of State Fisheries University Riji John, Tejal Kanitkar, Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and P.K. Chandrasekhar, former Chief Engineer of Kundla Port, Gujarat.