Pics: Umesh Marpalli / Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 15: District incharge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who visited Kaup beach on Saturday June 14 to assess the sea erosion in Koppalangadi-Padu Tottam area, said, “We have plans to construct a temporary stone wall and we will submit a Rs 10 crore proposal for a permanent wall. The present wall has been crushed by sea waves and it was built 30 years ago.”
Speaking to the media, he said that a temporary stone wall will bring some reassurance among the local people. “In all, Rs 22 crore has been granted for the entire project and Rs 13 crore for Kaup constituency. There will also be a new proposal of Rs 10 crore for future work. In Ullal, work has begun under the ADB Scheme,” added Sorake.
The minister was accompanied by T S Rathod, engineer, who promised to start work from the morning of Sunday June 15. Sorake said that they will soon conduct a meeting by making two or three teams on sea erosion. He said that the locals were not keen on moving away.
Surappa Kotian, a local, who has resided by the sea since 20 years, said, “There are five members in our family. About four to six coconut trees were uprooted and a few of them were washed away. In the past, ministers did not take any precautions and a permanent stone wall is the only solution.”
Several places across the shoreline in Udupi district are facing problems due to acute sea erosion. The problem is grave at Muloor near Kaup in Udupi district, near Udyavar-Padukere, and Kodi–Maravanthe of Kundapur taluk.
Kaup is a coastal town in Udupi district consisting of four villages (Padu, Uliyargoli, Mallar, and Majur) with a population exceeding 45,000. In Kaup, the sea has advanced by 25 m and several coconut trees have been uprooted.
At Padukere, people’s lives are in danger. Residents in the vicinity are spending sleepless nights not knowing when the mighty tidal waves will wash away their houses.
Some locals say that if the government will provide them alternate safe homes, then they will accept the offer. Mohan Kanchan and panchayat members were gathered at the spot.