Officials move to check beach erosion in Vizag

Team to take up study for suggesting remedial measures

THEN AND NOW: Erosion of beach owing to the surge of the sea beside Kursura Submarine Museum in the city on Thursday is in stark contrast to the wide beach seen on the stretch behind the museum. Photo: K.R. Deepak

The erosion of a stretch of beach within a few weeks after damaging the retaining wall at Kursura Submarine Museum has brought into sharp focus the need for remedial measures.

Various options are being explored to find a solution to the erosion which is said to have been caused by the emergence of structures. Quoting experts, Municipal Commissioner M. V. Satyanarayana said the erosion had occurred at Gangavaram too where a new port came up. The wave action in such a scenario leads to erosion.

Mr. Satyanarayana and VUDA Vice-Chairman N. Yuvaraj spoke to each other and contacted K. Nageswara Rao, professor of Geophysics and Oceanography in AU College of Engineering.

The professor suggested three alternatives – replenishing the beach with dredged sand, dumping cement blocks to stop erosion or erecting offshore barriers.

He will take up a study with a team of engineers from GVMC and VUDA from Monday. The studies will be carried out at Coastal Battery, Gokul Park and beside the Kusura Submarine Museum.

Mr. Satyanarayana said after the studies the view of R. Sundara Vadivelu, professor of Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT, Madras, would also be taken on remedial measures.

Residents worried

The erosion continued to draw a number of anxious visitors on Thursday. “With mighty waves hitting the retaining wall of the Submarine Museum frequently and damaging it partially, water may cross the beach road,” feared Krishna, a resident on the beach road.

With the damage on the beachside strikingly visible after a long time, people living there are quite apprehensive. Jyoti, a housewife, whose house is close to the beach, said for the first time in five years she had seen major damage by sea erosion and expressed the view that massive constructions on the beach road could be a cause. She said serious steps should be initiated to protect the beach.

Others are equally worried about the impact on regular walkers on the Beach Road and tourists. M. Govind Rao, a former employee of Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, said the problem of erosion and sea surge should be addressed properly. Otherwise, Vizagites and visitors to the city would hardly be left with any beachfront for relaxation.