Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jun 21: With the onset of monsoons, fear of sea erosion has once again gripped the locals in Ullal. The intensity of sea waves on the Ullal seashore has increased, and the barriers erected for breakwater work at Mogaveerapatna have been falling into the sea. The locals are afraid that they may lose their houses.
Pilot Project
Ullal has been selected for an environment-friendly pilot project worth Rs 232 crore under ADB as an alternative to the current joining of stones and construction of stone wall. It includes construction of breakwaters, off shore reefs deep down in the sea, four inshore bumps on the sea shore, and two sand filling projects. The company that was awarded the tender for construction of the jetty last year has started work at Mogaveerapatna.
The work that started eight months ago has not satisfied the local people. The polymer bags filled with sand have submerged in the sea. Water is being blocked by boulders in sea erosion affected Kotepura, Kaiko, Subhashnagar, and Hileriana. However, as the preliminary stages of work has started in Mogaveerapatna and the shore bumps are being pulled into the sea, the people here are living in fear.
“The contractors have not taken the local people into confidence. The contractors are not heeding when asked to put stones instead of sand bags. Verandas of two houses have been claimed by the sea. The people’s representatives who visited the area last year had assured of compensation. However, those who lost their houses were paid only Rs 2,500. Life has become distressing here during monsoons and the several crores of rupees said to be spent by the government is becoming futile,” says local swimmer Mohan Kotian.
The breakwater construction at Bengre Estuary was responsible for the sea erosion that has troubled Ullal for the last three decades. Tenders have been invited for four permanent projects. Construction of breakwater is the first stage and reefs deep under the sea are the second stage while construction of barriers along the seashore is the third stage. The tender for the third stage was called a year ago. The tender process for the remaining work has been completed and the work should commence.
Geotex Mega Bags for Barriers
Sand is being filled in German technology driven Geotex tile mega bags to form barriers along the seashore. Out of four such barriers, the first one is being created in Mogaveerapatna. Sand is being filled in three different types of bags. Stitches of some of the bags have come out with the pounding from the sea and the sand has fallen out.
This technology is being tried out in Australia on a small scale and it is being implemented on a larger scale for the first time in India, that too in Ullal. The officials in charge say that the project is conducive to the tourism industry.
Co-operation of Locals Necessary
“While it is a loss if the barriers fall into the sea, it will cause greater loss if houses collapse. Rain has been an impediment to the work. As the rain decreases, the work will be taken up. The local people should cooperate till then,” says an engineer working for the contractor.