For months now, the vulnerable coastal stretches of West Kochi, specifically within the Kochi Corporation limits and bordering the highly susceptible Chellanam panchayat, have experienced a remarkable reduction in seawater intrusion and shoreline erosion. This welcome change is largely attributed to what appears to be strategic beach nourishment, with dredged sludge reportedly being deposited along these shores over the past few months.
Yet, there’s a fascinating twist: the Cochin Port Authority (CPA) officially refutes any involvement in these coastal deposits. Despite this, local residents report seeing barges actively dumping sludge along the shore almost every day. For the erosion-plagued communities of Chellanam, who have long advocated for such a measure, this official denial clashes sharply with their daily observations and the noticeable improvement in their coastline.
This positive change comes after sustained advocacy from local communities. A fishing union, for instance, previously sought central government intervention specifically for beach nourishment in Chellanam, highlighting the community’s long-standing demand to utilize dredged material for coastal protection instead of offshore dumping.
Since approximately May, a significant 4-kilometer stretch of coastline across Saudi, Manasserry, and Beach Road — areas within the Manasserry and Fort Kochi divisions of the Corporation — has visibly improved thanks to these ongoing sludge depositions.
“Initially, this work was often carried out late at night, and only those involved in night fishing would spot it,” recounts Reena Sabu, a 55-year-old resident of Saudi. “But more recently, it’s being done much more openly during mornings and evenings. The shore feels much calmer now, and we haven’t experienced any significant sea intrusion since the Karkidavavu season.”
Such localized successes also align with broader discussions around curbing sea erosion, where dredging of canals has been proposed as another potential measure.
The Chellanam Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi continues its advocacy efforts. On August 25, 2025, office-bearers met Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal, presenting a memorandum that urged the use of dredged material for coastal nourishment rather than discarding it offshore. Just two days later, on August 27, the Minister’s Additional Private Secretary wrote to the CPT chairman, requesting a review of the organization’s pressing appeal. The Vedhi’s office-bearers are now preparing for a crucial meeting with the CPA chairman next week to push this matter further.
However, for other coastal communities, the situation has unfortunately deteriorated.
V.T. Sebastian, the general convener of the Vedhi, explains the complex dynamics. “Sludge deposits have indeed increased since our meeting with the minister. Although the sludge is being directly dumped along the shore in Kaithaveli, Kattiparambu, and Cheriyakkadavu within the Chellanam panchayat, north-eastern currents are washing much of it into the adjacent Corporation divisions.” He adds, “Consequently, sea incursion has worsened significantly in areas of Chellanam located south of these Corporation divisions.” Sebastian argues that for truly effective protection of the nearly 20-kilometer shoreline between Chellanam and Fort Kochi, dredged material needs to be consistently deposited along its entire length.
Furthermore, Sebastian has emphasized the critical need for robust coastal defenses, specifically advocating for the construction of a network of groynes or a sturdy breakwater wall along the Beach Road area. This, he asserts, would be crucial to anchor the newly deposited sludge and provide long-term resilience against the encroaching sea.