As a temporary measure to repair the damaged sea wall along Chinna Kuppam and Peria Kuppam, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has sent a proposal to the Tiruvallur District Collector to implement the project at ₹3.5 crore.
The WRD Officials said once it was approved, work would begin to protect the fishing villages from high tide. Moreover, environment clearance had already been obtained to execute the project’s second phase to construct groynes, a collection of boulders laid perpendicular to the shoreline, in Periakuppam, Chinnakuppam and Ernavoorkuppam.
“We have already laid 10 groynes between Ennore and Nettukuppam. In the second phase, nine more groynes would be built at an interval of 100 metre between Periakuppam and Ernavoorkuppam at ₹39 crore. This would be a permanent solution to seawater incursion and to reclaim the shoreline,” an official said. The project was awaiting the the State Finance Department’s approval.
Collector’s visit
Meanwhile, officials of the Tiruvallur district administration led by Collector E. Sundaravalli visited the village on Wednesday, saw the damaged sea wall and also interacted with the residents.
“Keeping in mind the safety of the residents, we will take necessary action,’’ she said.
Chinna Kuppam residents had complained that sea water had entered the village and homes were damaged owing to the force of the waves. Fearing their lives, they had sought immediate help. The sea has been very rough for over 20 days now.
