'New island forming in Kochi', raises concerns among fishermen and workers

KOCHI: Fishermen report that an island is forming in the lake and gaining strength each year, particularly on the west side of the Aroor-Idakochi bridge of Kaithapuzha backwater. They attribute its formation to the accumulation of sand, soil and mud, expressing concern that it will eventually become a permanent fixture in the middle of the lake, causing significant problems.

There have been multiple incidents of small fishermen's boats and tourist vessels getting stuck in this area. Recently, a wedding party's large boat became mired in the mudflats, requiring assistance from fishermen to reach shore. Similarly, a speed boat carrying a group from Kumarakam got stranded overnight, necessitating a rescue operation during daylight hours.

The mudflats are only visible during low tide, posing a hazard to vessels at other times, with reports of speeding boats colliding with the emerging island. The primary cause of these formations is sediment released during the construction of railway bridges. Fishermen claim they raised concerns during construction but were ignored.

Workers fear the shallowing backwaters will harm fisheries and habitats. They demand intervention from authorities, alleging repeated requests to remove the sediment have been ignored.