Fishing hamlets in north Chennai may escape the wrath of stormy sea this year as long-pending work to construct groynes along the coastline is almost complete. The Water Resources Department (WRD) is set to begin the second phase of the project soon to reclaim the shoreline.
For several years now, residents have been living in fear of rough sea along the coastline as the project, devised five years ago, was progressing at a snail’s pace. Now, the shoreline along Ennore Expressway is dotted with 10 groynes between Ennore estuary and Thazangkuppam for a distance of nearly three km. Groynes, a collection of boulders, are barriers or walls laid perpendicular to the coastline that help in sand accumulation and prevent sea erosion.
It may be recalled that the ₹32-crore project was announced by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2013. Officials of the WRD said nearly 95 % of the project to construct groynes has been completed so far. “We sourced boulders from Chengalpet to build the groynes. The project was delayed due to the long wait in obtaining coastal regulation zone clearance,” said an official.
However, the second phase of the project that envisages building of nine more groynes between Ernavoorkuppam to Ennore is set to begin on time. “This phase will benefit fishing hamlets such as Periakuppam, Chinnakuppam and Ernavoorkuppam. Tender will be floated soon for the ₹39-crore project,” he said.
This has brought much respite to residents who suffer loss of livelihood and property every year. However, they want the project to be completed soon.
Lakshmi Karthik, a resident of Ennorekuppam, recalled that last year, seawater had entered houses in Nettukuppam and Ennorekuppam and left sand deposits inside their houses. “The government must build more such structures near the estuary to protect our houses,” she said.
Following fishermen’s demand, one of the groynes in Thazangkuppam has been constructed with a slight curve to accommodate fishing activities. Among the 10 groynes built at an interval of 100-150 metre, three of them are ‘T’ shaped to control wave action and accelerate sand accretion.
The project was based on the study and design provided by IIT-Madras. “Sand deposit is already being noticed near the groyne at Thazangkuppam. We expect to reclaim the shoreline within one or two years and also protect the Ennore Expressway from damage during monsoon,” the official said.
