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Time of India
17-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Experts visit Vypeen beaches for coastal protection project
Kochi: As part of preliminary technical study prior to implementing a comprehensive project to protect coastal areas of Vypeen region, a team from National Centre for Coastal Research in Chennai visited selected beaches of Vypeen on Saturday. The team, led by centre director M V Ramana Murthy, visited the beaches to assess feasibility of installing synthetic geotubes in the area to prevent coastal erosion and sea encroachment. Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan informed that the project is part of coastal protection project being implemented on 22 beaches across Kerala. The project is being conceived and executed by Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC). Three coastal areas in Ernakulam district, located in Vypeen constituency, are included in the project. The selected locations are Puthen Kadappuram in Njarakkal grama panchayat, Veliyathan Parambu beach in Nayarambalam grama panchayat and Cherai beach in Pallipuram grama panchayat. "Synthetic geotubes will be installed away from the shoreline. These durable tubes, made using petrochemical byproducts, will be filled with sand from the sea, enhancing their strength and reducing the impact of large waves," Unnikrishnan said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch Bitcoin và Ethereum - Không cần ví! IC Markets BẮT ĐẦU NGAY Undo "Studies in the area suggest that completion of the project will increase fish resources. Additionally, accessibility to the coast at any time will significantly benefit fishing and tourism sectors," the MLA said. The team visited the beaches along with Unnikrishnan and KSCADC managing director P I Sheikh Pareeth. The MLA stated that state govt has allocated Rs 100 crore to prevent sea erosion in coastal areas. He also mentioned that steps, including tender processes for project implementation, will be expedited after monsoon, and construction activities will be completed within this financial year.


Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Material shortage, rough seas delay Poonthura offshore geotube breakwater project
Thiruvananthapuram: The offshore geotube breakwater project at Poonthura, aimed at protecting the vulnerable coastline of the state capital, has encountered a major setback. Scheduled for completion by March 2025, the new deadline for the project has been set for April 2026. The delay is attributed to a shortage of construction materials and rough sea conditions, with works at standstill since May 7 this State Coastal Area Development Corporation ( KSCADC ), the implementing agency, confirmed that material shortage stemmed from the exclusion of a Chinese supplier. The Chinese firm previously provided custom-made geotubes after special permission from Union govt. Operation Sindoor 'Decided to strike where it would hurt': Air Marshal on Op Sindoor Op Sindoor: IC-814 hijackers, Pulwama plotters among over 100 terrorists killed 'Pak Army lost 35 to 40 personnel': Takeaways from armed forces' briefing on Op Sindoor However, under Centre's Make in India policy, KSCADC was directed to procure materials only from Indian companies, resulting in customs rejecting Chinese are large fabric tubes filled with sand, strategically placed offshore to reduce the force of incoming waves and promote sand deposition along the coast. The tubes, with lengths of 20, 16 and 12m and a circumference of 15m, are laid in three layers on the seabed at depths of around 6m. Positioned 80-120m from the shoreline, these structures form a submerged breakwater to combat erosion and protect the coastal stretch.A senior KSCADC official told TOI that while the first and second segments of geotube installations were completed, work on the third segment was halted midway. "We completed two segments installed about 100m offshore as a pilot initiative. The third segment is 50% complete, but we stopped due to material unavailability and unpredictable sea conditions. We are now coordinating with suppliers in Mumbai to match the geotube specifications previously used," said the official. "Since the sea is currently rough, and our work window is limited to morning hours, progress will be slow. We are now aiming for project completion by April 2026," he total project cost is estimated at Rs 20 crore and is funded by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The project is also supported by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). The project area spans from Poonthura Church to Cheriya Muttam, with a broader plan to extend the protective structure up to Shangumukham in project, which began in Feb 2022 after securing all required approvals, marks a shift from traditional coastal protection measures like rock barriers, which raised environmental concerns. The geotube technology is seen as a more sustainable and adaptive solution, minimising harm to marine ecosystems and avoiding resource depletion. KSCADC has partnered with Mumbai-based DVP GCC Joint Ventures for the execution of the work, and efforts are ongoing to resolve material procurement issues to restart the third segment installation at the earliest. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !