Construction of off-shore reefs in Ullal, as one of the steps planned under a government project to check sea erosion, will start after September, according to P. Channappa Naik, Project Director, Karnataka Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme.
Addressing presspersons with J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, here on Tuesday he said that reefs were cup-shaped structures like a wall to be constructed in sea about 700 metres off shore. They would be constructed using concrete tetra pods (concrete structures) and huge rocks. The base length and width of the reefs would be 350 metres and 50 metres, respectively, and height would be 7 metres.
The reefs would help prevent the intensity of waves which cause erosion. It was mainly because the tetra pods interlock each other tightly when waves hit. Hence they did not wash out easily for heavy waves.
He said that the reefs would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 110 crore.
Mr. Naik said in addition, rehabilitation of Ullal breakwaters too would be taken up.
Sand nourishment could also be taken up as another measure to prevent sea erosion. It was the process of transporting sand from deeper sections of sea and feeding it to the foreshore to create a new beach or widen the existing beach. It does not stop erosion; but was an essential component to balance the process of erosion and accretion, thus safeguarding the protection of livelihoods and properties, he added.
