The city is all set to claim its sandy beach with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) deciding to take up restoration work. The beach once extended into the sea for a few metres.
Sanctuary Beach, a Singapore-based consultant with expertise in beach restoration in various countries, has been selected for the nourishment plan for the promenade stretch starting from the northern side of the harbour.
“NIOT has already conducted a survey of the coastline and finalised the concept design for the beach nourishment work. Sanctuary Beach will now add their expertise and conduct a second round of study to ensure that the project does not suffer from any setback. The total project is estimated at Rs.35 crore,” a senior scientist in NIOT told The Hindu .
The construction of a seawall from the northern side of the harbour to a distance of 5 to 6 km had resulted in the city losing its sandy beach to a distance of 200 metres along the coastline over the years.
According to the project, a submerged structure will be built at a distance of 400 metres from the sea behind the Gandhi Statue by shipping sand from the harbour. The submerged structure will reduce wave activity and prevent erosion along the coastline. Once it is completed the city will be able to have a continuous stretch of the sandy beach.
“Sanctuary Beach is now undertaking studies and exchanging information with scientists of NIOT for nourishment of the beach. NIOT has finalised the concept design and the preliminary design is expected to be ready by July end,” the scientist added.
Once the preliminary design is ready NIOT will approach the Ministry of Environment and Forests for environmental clearances. The project has a tight schedule and has to be completed in four months before the onset of the monsoon, an NIOT official said.
As per initial estimates, sand to the extent of 3.0 cubic million metres need to be placed north of the harbour, according to an NIOT report. Over the last several years, the beach has been undergoing erosion and nourishment now will result in restoration of sand level.
The NIOT scientists had also suggested eco-friendly techniques and soft engineering measures for retaining the sand and restoring the ecological functions of the coast. The NIOT has sought funds from the Ministry of Earth Sciences for the project.
This is a demonstration project.
The Institute will advise coastal states on implementation of the project for restoration of beaches and they have to take it forwards with central funding.
