Harbour engineering department to start works on shore protection in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The harbour engineering department is set to implement a major shore protection work at Valiyathura---one of the coastal regions in the district most severely affected by frequent sea erosion. Over the past few years, many families at Valiyathura had lost their homes and had to be shifted to relief camps set up in schools.
The families have often resorted to protests after their stay at relief camps has gone on for years. Many families who were shifted from Valiyathura have been forced to stay in crammed classrooms in nearby schools for the past few years.
As per the project, the shore protection works will be carried out in the southern side of Valiyathura pier. The estimated cost of work is Rs 1.01 crore.
The officials said the proposal is to protect land with a wall made of cement concrete blocks and on the base, 10-200 kg weighing stones will be filled into the gabion box. The project also proposes a stone-levelling course under the gabion box.
Geotextiles shall be provided on the back side to prevent seepage of sand. The project also includes installation of a hand rail, plastering and painting and filling of earth on the rear side of the retaining wall. Stones weighing above 500kg shall be placed as top layer meant to protect the wall from the lashing waves. The structure measuring 30 metres in length is expected to be completed within a year.
A study ‘Disappearing coast of Thiruvananthapuram District, A case study on Shoreline Changes, causes, and Mitigation Measures’ by V Deepchand, department of Geology, University of Kerala, says that periodical coastal hazards have affected the fishing communities, causing loss of lives and damages to properties over the last three decades.
While cyclic erosion occurs during the rough seasons, the erosion in different important beaches of Thiruvananthapuram, such as Valiyathura, Poonthura, Beemapalli, and Panathura appears to be progressive as the beach does not get restored, the study notes.
The officials said the shore protection work is expected to restore the beach to a large extent. Fishermen at Valiyathura were forced to pay huge transportation charges to carry fishing boats to other harbours since the beach at Valiyathura was devoured by the waves. It has seriously affected the livelihood of the community who has to shell out additional amount to meet with unforeseen expenses like transportation.
Shore protection works using geo-tubes at Poonthura, another area affected by sea erosion is already progressing in the district. KIIFB has allocated Rs 150 crores for the construction of off shore break water project using geo tubes from Poonthura to Valiyathura.