Kerala Opposition leader V D Satheesan urges govt to solve breakwater issue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V D Satheesan has urged the government to form an expert committee with fishermen too as its members to address and solve the hazards posed by Muthalappozhi breakwater at Perumathura. Satheesan made this appeal after visiting the breakwater in the wake of rising number of fishermen deaths at the breakwater. He was accompanied by Adoor Prakash, MP, local Congress leaders as well as priests and officials of local parish.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Satheesan said it was the alleged unscientific ways of construction that has turned the breakwater region into a death trap for fishermen. “By implementing a permanent dredging system, the level of danger can be reduced considerably. The government must take immediate measures in this regard. Ever since its construction, around 55 fishermen have died and more than 500 have been injured. The fishermen have also suffered property loss in the form of boats, nets and other fishing equipment that were damaged by the deadly waves. The government must take appropriate steps to compensate these fishermen and their families,” Satheesan said. Prakash said the issue has been brought to the notice of the central government.