Ports Department to get expert advice to prevent sea erosion

Beach erosion has intensified at Batpady despite an ADB rejuvenation project

With the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Someshwara Beach Rejuvenation Project coming to an end and the southern parts of the stretch in Batpady getting completely eroded, the Ports Department has decided to get technical guidance from the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, to prevent erosion.

The ADB-funded project was on for about four years during which time, a special unit of the department constructed 10 groyens horizontally into the sea between Uchchila and Batpady. It also constructed two offshore reefs on the Uchchila-Batpady stretch. Both these structures were intended to break the velocity of waves and help beach rejuvenation. Nearly ₹240 crore is said to have been spent on this project.

While beach erosion has considerably reduced on the Uchchila stretch where the groyens and one offshore reef have been constructed, it has aggravated in the Batpady stretch where one reef has been constructed. Local residents have been demanding construction two or three more groyens towards the Kerala border, which is yet to happen.