The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has started work on fabrication of steel plates for the offshore artificial reef coming up on the beach in front of the Chief Secretariat as part of efforts to restore sandy beach in the coastal town.
Sanctuary Beach, a Singapore-based consultant with expertise in beach restoration in various countries, was selected for the nourishment plan for the promenade stretch starting from the northern side of the harbour.
“The steel plates, each having a thickness of 25 mm, will be fabricated and fixed on the offshore artificial reef. The steel caisson will be 60 metres wide and 60 metres long with an elevation of 2.5 metres. The caisson will be filled with sand and would remain under water. The caisson is expected to be completed by January 31. If everything goes as per plan, the structure will be pushed into the sea with the help of winches and positioned at a distance of 100 metres from the shore,” a senior official of NIOT said.
According to the project, two submerged reefs will be built at a distance of 125 m from the sea near the Chief Secretariat and the south of the new pier. The reef near the Chief Secretariat will be funded by NIOT at ₹25 crore while the second reef will be funded by the Puducherry Government.
Containing the waves
The submerged structure will reduce wave activity and allow sand to freely move towards the north and prevent erosion along the coastline. Once the steel caisson is completed, about 70% of the sand will be bypassed to the north in the first year followed by 100% from the next year.
As per an NIOT report, 3 cubic million metres of sand would be needed north of the harbour.
Over the last several years, the beach has been hit by erosion and nourishment will result in restoration of sand level.
