The much-awaited sea wall project in Mattool panchayat, launched to shield coastal residents from recurring sea erosion, is caught in delays and inaction.

The ₹16-crore project, originally slated for completion within one and a half years, has now turned into a sluggish, drawn-out affair. Conceived to link Neerozhukkum Chaal in Madayi panchayat with Mattool South through a protective sea wall, the project has long been a cherished dream of the coastal community here.

It, however, has now fallen victim to apathy and inefficiency with both the Irrigation Department and the contractor citing one technical issue after another to justify the prolonged delay.

Despite repeated lapses in execution, the contractor has been granted extensions nine times in a row, reportedly due to the influence of higher officials in the Irrigation Department.

Now, with barely one and a half months left for the term of the ninth extension to expire, work at three key sites remains incomplete. These include a 400-metre stretch along the Vavuvalavu coast in Ward 19 of Mattool panchayat, a 365-metre stretch at Mattool Central, and another 297-metre portion at Mattool South.

Incidentally, all three sites had suffered severe damage during the tsunami that struck the region nearly two decades ago. Meanwhile, local residents also point out that construction of the sea wall has been at a complete standstill for the past month.

At Mattool Central and Mattool South, even the granite boulders required to build the structure are yet to be unloaded. Residents have urged the authorities to wake up to the plight of the coastal community and ensure that the long-delayed sea wall project is completed at the earliest.