Muthalappozhi harbour: Kerala Chief Minister promises urgent decision

Published 5 August 2026 · politics

As safety-related concerns over the Muthalappozhi harbour in the district persist, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday promised an “urgent decision” with respect to the

As safety-related concerns over the Muthalappozhi harbour in the district persist, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday promised an “urgent decision” with respect to the harbour. While briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions, Mr. Satheesan said the government has scheduled a meeting next week. He indicated that the government has short and long-term measures in mind with respect to the harbour which has gained notoriety as a death trap for fishers. Short-term measures that are required will be implemented soon, the Chief Minister said. “There are measures that need to be implemented in the long term as well,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan’s assurance comes even as search operations are still in progress for two fishermen who went missing after a boat capsized on July 31 in the area. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement are continuing their search operations in the area to trace the missing fishermen, Mr. Satheesan said. The search has been extended to the sea off Colachel in neighbouring Tamil Nadu as well, he said. “It is unfortunate that they have not been traced yet,” he said. Representatives of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram had met the Chief Minister on Tuesday, seeking a lasting solution to the issue.

Fr. Eugene Pereira, Vicar General, who was part of the delegation told The Hindu that over 80 fishers have died at Muthalappozhai since 2008. The delegation had urged the government to redesign the harbour mouth in consultation with the local fishers. It also called for the introduction of a rapid response mechanism in the event of accidents. Design flaws The channel leading off the harbour has proved treacherous for fishing vessels. The local fishing industry attribute the recurring accidents to design flaws in the harbour groynes. Over the years, the region has also witnessed several bouts of protests demanding lasting solutions to the problem.

In August 2023, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala also had visited the harbour region and promised measures to address the issue. Mr. Rupala had said that said that all steps necessary would be taken to make the Muthalappozhi harbour accident-free.