Fishermen block road in Kerala over harbour desilting

Local fishermen in Kerala blocked the Anchuthengu-Perumathura coastal road on Thursday. They are demanding that the government remove sand buildup at the Muthalapozhy harbour mouth. This buildup is making it dangerous for boats to pass through, and fishers say it threatens their lives and livelihoods. The protest began early in the morning and involved fishers and their families. They were supported by the Latin Catholic Church and local Muslim groups. The fishermen want the government to take action against a sandbank that has created dangerous conditions in the sea. Muthalapozhi Harbour is important for many local fishing families and serves as a key fish landing site in southern Kerala. The harbor's depth has been drastically reduced due to the sandbank, causing strong currents that can capsize boats. According to local activist Valerian Isaac, there have been many accidents, resulting in 14 deaths and many injuries since 2022. Fisheries Secretary Abdul Nassar spoke to the protesting fishermen. He explained that a lack of dredging equipment had delayed the removal of the sandbank. However, he assured them that the government has arranged for a dredger to start work by next Tuesday. The central government has already committed funding for the long-term solution to this problem. They allocated ₹177 crore for improvements under a national fishing scheme. The state government is currently working on the tendering process to begin sustainable dredging operations at the harbor mouth.