IIT experts suggest reforms to tackle Puri beach's erosion

Bhubaneswar: Experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai on Sunday advised the government to put in place geo-synthetic sand tubes along the Puri beach to protect its shoreline from erosion. The government had roped in experts following damage caused by marauding tides to a patch of the beach in front of Swargadwar in Puri.
"Geosynthetic embankment is the only remedy to prevent erosion.We will submit our inspection report to Odisha government," said Ram Kumar, a geological expert from the IIT, Chennai.
Kumar explained the geosynthetic tubes, filled with sand, will be placed underwater along the tideline. They will help pile up sands on the shore when waves recede after dashing against the tube. "The seabed sand will gradually accumulate around areas covered by tubes," Kumar said.
Locals said that in past four-to-five days over 200 metres of the beach have already been swallowed by tidal waves, which are now hitting the walls of Marine Drive road, triggering panic among tourists and hoteliers. The district administration is yet to ban tourists from venturing near the eroded beach, but has erected red flags on the beach to warn visitors of possible danger.
In the past, some experts from IIT, Chennai had recommended introduction of geosynthetic seawall in Puri after massive erosion was reported in 2007. A portion of the Marine Drive was then washed away by tidal waves. Nine years on, the district officials feigned ignorance on the previous advice. "I had heard that the state approved the recommendation of the experts from IIT, Chennai and sanctioned Rs 100 crore for installation of geosynthetic tubes. I don't know why it did not materialize," said a senior district official.
Geosynthetic seawall was recently constructed at Pentha beach in Kendrapada district to check erosion. The project, mooted in 2008, was commissioned a few months ago under the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme to protect vulnerable villages from sea erosion.