The first of the offshore breakwater systems to come up along vulnerable coastal areas in the district will be constructed at Poonthura.
A departure from traditional ways of protecting the shoreline from high waves and coastal erosion, the 700-m breakwater will be built at ₹17.8 crore, Minister for Fisheries J. Mercykutty Amma has said in a statement here.
Funds have been sanctioned by including the project in the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) taking into account the importance of the project in decelerating erosion. The areas from Poonthura to Shanghumughom have been identified for piloting the project in the State.
Groyne and sea wall built in the Poonthura area have been found ineffective in regulating erosion. With loss of sand from the beach, fishermen have been finding it tough to haul their boats ashore. At the peak of sea fury, they have no option but to depend on the Vizhinjam harbour to put to sea.
Waves to be intercepted
With the implementation of the project, the breakwater will intercept the waves 120m from the shore. The reduced intensity of the waves will prevent coastal erosion, and allow beach enhancement. Fishers too will have no problems in beaching their boats.
The offshore breakwater will be built parallel to the shore. Five breakwaters of 100-m length will be installed initially. They will be situated 50 m apart. Boats will be able to reach the shore through these gaps.
Geo tubes
The government decided to experiment with geo tubes for building the breakwater in the wake of dwindling availability of stones for coastline protection.
Tubes that are 5 m in diameter and 20 m long are filled with sand to construct the breakwater.
Three rows of such tubes will be used for one breakwater.
Technical assistance
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) which has experience in building breakwater using geo tubes at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu will provide technical assistance to the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation in building the breakwater. An agreement has been signed by the two to this effect.
The NIOT has also taken up the pilot study for the project.
The Minister said the project had been designed to protect the shoreline from Poonthura to Valiathura, Beemapally, and Shanghumughom.
