National Institute of Ocean Technology, the nodal agency for studying the erosion of the beach in the city and recommend measures, has submitted its draft report on the steps to be taken to prevent erosion of the beach in the city.
The draft report suggested that a sill be erected as a short-term measure at 220 m.
Besides the sill that is erection of geo-synthetic tubes, the report recommended that beach be nourished by dredging beach harbour sand. The geo-synthetic tubes and nourishment by dredging sand are short-term measures that will cost around Rs. 16 crore.
The two are expected to be completed by December before the prestigious International Fleet Review to be hosted by the Eastern Naval Command in February next, say sources.
Geo-synthetic tubes
In the long-term, in the next one year reefs will be installed at 60 meters from the geo-synthetic tubes. Expected to cost Rs.75 crore, the reefs - concrete tetrahedral structures - would act as energy dissipaters weakening the force of the incoming waves.
WB funding
The World Bank is funding the project with US $25 million to prevent erosion of the beach along the 2.5-km stretch from Coastal Battery to Park Hotel. The Convener of the Committee constituted early this year by the State government on the erosion and Municipal Commissioner Pravin Kumar, when contacted, said it was only a draft report and it would be discussed at a meeting later this week. It would be put in the public domain too.
The report would be vetted by a premier academic institution of national repute and taking all the other inputs a decision on future course of action would be taken.
Decision on future course of action will be taken after discussing the report at a greater length
Pravin Kumar
Municipal Commissioner
