Temporary measures taken up by VUDA are under way to protect the unique Kursura submarine museum, a major tourist attraction in the city, from erosion of the beach.
After cyclone Hudhud wrought havoc, VUDA has initiated the measures for construction of a Gabian wall. The wall is only a temporary protection measure. Part of the wall collapsed as early as in January 2014 after which dumping of boulders began.
During Hudhud, office shelters and toilets and ornamental umbrellas were washed away. In the cyclone and during the erosion due to the sea surge after that the wall almost collapsed. Before Hudhud struck, around 200 truck-loads of boulders were dumped to prevent the erosion.
The latest round of work started a month ago to lay 300-meter-long wall with 6 m width which once the work is over will come down to 1.5 m and the height of the wall will be 4 m, says Chief Engineer Jayarami Reddy.
“The work began a month ago with a view to preventing erosion that might affect the submarine and of the 1,000 truck-loads required so far 700 have been dumped,” the CE has told The Hindu.
It’s not the question of bringing the boulders but the process involved is difficult and will be completed by the end of June, he says.
The protective wall is only a temporary measure. “The final solution to erosion will come from a comprehensive project to address the issue of erosion all along the beach road,” he elaborates. Laying geo mattress is one of the solutions and it is estimated to cost Rs.1.8 crore.
The submarine museum, a major tourist attraction, bore the brunt of the cyclone Hudhud
