Thiruvananthapuram: The irrigation department is mulling using sandbags to prevent sea erosion as granite boulders are in short supply thanks to infrastructural projects such as Vizhinjam port. Experts, however, point out that there has been no study on the feasibility of the project here though geo textile bags filled with sand have been used in groyne fields and sea wall in some parts of the world. The department used to construct groyne field and seawall from Valiyathura to Vizhinjam based on IIT-Madras design using stone boulders.
However, irrigation officials have themselves pointed out several times in that past that this resulted in the city losing precious granite resources to the sea. City mayor V.K. Prashant had earlier this week said a section of officials had informed him of the decision as small quarries in city and Vizhinjam project area were shut down. “The decision to use sand bags will be foolish,” Valiyathura councillor Sheeba Patrick said. “Foundation was laid in February for the construction of housing complex to relocate 160 families affected by sea erosion. The project was to be completed in nine months but the work hasn’t progressed an inch.”
Around 30 families have been living at Fisheries, LP and UP schools at Valiyathura. More houses are being lost to sea erosion during each episode of sea erosion. “Removal of construction that obstructs normal accretion of sand on beaches should be the priority of governments,” said T. Peter, president of Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation. “Those affected should be relocated.”
