The NDA government at the center has announced a Dussehra gift to Visakhapatnam. It has approved a grant of Rs. 222.22 crore for the protection of the coastal area in Visakhapatnam district. The relevant officials said that the center’s share is Rs. 200 crore.
This assistance will be provided from the National Disaster Management Fund (NDMF) under the Recovery and Reconstruction Project for areas affected by natural disasters. The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) will undertake this project in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority.
The detailed project report (DPR) for these works has already been prepared. With these funds, protective measures will be taken in the Visakhapatnam coastal area. The VMRDA has prepared plans to reduce erosion in the coastal area. In the process of providing funds for this, steps have been taken to protect 30 kilometers of coastline.
The comprehensive report has been examined by the State Disaster Management Authority and sent to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). After examining this report, the National Disaster Management Authority has approved the Rs. 222 crore coastal erosion prevention project proposed by the Region Development Authority.
The central government will bear 90 percent of the funds for this project and and the remaining 10 percent of the funds will have to be borne by the state government. Every time the Bay of Bengal becomes turbulent, the Visakhapatnam coast is damaged.
The beach road is being eroded due to the intensity of the waves. Tourist places are merging into the sea. The beaches themselves are disappearing. According to the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), an area of a few meters has merged into the sea between 1990-2018.
While 40.1 percent of the area has remained stable in these 28 years, new sand dunes have formed in 37.5 percent of the area. 22.4 percent of the coast has been eroded. Currently, 16% of the coastal area in the combined Visakhapatnam district has been recorded as eroded. Also, new sand dunes have formed in 37.5% of the area.
The coast is being washed away near the fishing villages of Jalaripeta, Jalari Endada, Sivaganeshnagar, and Bhimili on the Visakhapatnam Beach Road. Gokul Park and Kurusura submarine areas are frequently under threat. For the protection of the coast, construction works will be carried out with Rs. 180 crore and non-construction works with another Rs. 40 crore.
Protective walls, retention walls and groynes will be constructed on the coast. Shelter belts will be installed. Protective walls will be constructed at the fishing boat landing site at Bhimili, Mangamaripeta, from Jalari Yendada to Sivaganeshnagar. Retention walls will be constructed on Bhimili Beach Road, Thota Veedhi, RK Beach Road, groynes will be constructed at Gokul Park and some other places. Measures will be taken to prevent erosion at Rushikonda and Chela Uppada.
