KOCHI: District collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla on Saturday granted approval to 208 applications submitted by 24 local self-government bodies seeking permission to construct houses along coastal stretch or in waterfront areas.The applications were sanctioned by district-level coastal zone management committee headed by district collector. Though the district committee received 387 applications, only 208 got the green signal to go ahead."As many as 187 applications submitted to the committee came from applicants, who have registered under the Life (livelihood inclusion and financial empowerment) Mission scheme.The committee has sought more details from secretaries of various panchayats for 58 applications, demanding permission to construct homes along the coastal stretches in the district. Additionally, five applications have been forwarded to Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority," said an official with district administration.The authorities said that clearance have been granted after making sure it is not violating the existing CRZ norms, including the minimum 50 m limit from the water bodies. Chellanam panchayat submitted 61 applications seeking permission to build houses in their coastal stretch. Pallippuram panchayat sought approval for 50 applications to build houses and Kuzhipally panchayat sought approval for 42 applications.The panchayats, which submitted the least amount of applications include Kadamakudy panchayat with 13 applications, Vadakekkara panchayat (10) Chendamangalam and Kottuvally panchayat (9), Kumbalam (8) Cheranelloor (5) as well as Kumbalangi and Udayamperoor panchayat (4 each). Kochi corporation and Maradu municipality submitted 11 & 2 applications, respectively to the coastal zone management committee.Meanwhile, various local bodies that come under the purview of coastal regulation zone had a mixed response.Officials with Chellanam panchayat, which submitted the maximum number of applications seeking permission to construct and repair homes in coastal areas, welcomed the decision.

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