Around 150 families living near the Kaithappuzha backwater in Aroor are facing animal intrusion, tidal saltwater entry and difficult internal roads because a stretch of the waterfront remains overgrown and without protective stonework, according to a report by Mathrubhumi – Kochi published on October 17, 2026.
The affected area is located parallel to Mukkam Unnathi in Ward 1 of Aroor grama panchayat. The waterfront extends for about 120 metres, but only half of it has been protected with a stone embankment. The unprotected section has become covered with vegetation and is being used as a passage by snakes, monitor lizards and rodents moving towards nearby homes.
Residents told Mathrubhumi that reptiles and other animals enter houses, particularly at night. In a recent incident, the fire and rescue services had to arrive to capture a monitor lizard that had entered a home. The overgrown waterfront has added to the difficulty faced by residents who live close to the backwater.
The shoreline has also remained filled with deposited silt and other material for a long period, according to the report. With no stone protection along part of the bank, residents experience the effects of saltwater entering the coastal area during high tide. The condition has made the waterfront not only a maintenance issue but also a source of recurring problems for households located beside it.
Residents are also raising concerns about the concrete roads leading into the settlement. The lanes are uneven, with sections at different levels, making travel difficult. During the rainy season, water collects on the roads and makes their surfaces slippery, adding to the problem for people using the internal routes.
The availability of Japan-funded drinking water is another concern cited by residents. They have sought a continuous water supply throughout the day, stone protection along the waterfront, removal of the overgrown vegetation and tile paving for the roads inside the settlement.
Residents have additionally asked for an open gym, a children’s park and a high-mast light along the waterfront. The requests combine immediate safety and maintenance needs with demands for basic public amenities in a settlement where the condition of the shoreline affects access, household security and everyday mobility. The report does not specify a completion timetable or a formal response from the Aroor grama panchayat or other responsible agencies.
