Centre clears Rs 178 crore coastal erosion mitigation project for Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The Union govt has approved the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (VMRDA) proposal to take up a major beach erosion mitigation project along the Vizag coast. Of the nearly Rs 200 crore proposals submitted by the VMRDA, works worth Rs 178 crore have received clearance.The project will include structural measures such as the construction of retention walls, beach nourishment, dune stabilisation, and seawalls to protect the coastline. Non-structural measures will focus on ecosystem restoration through vegetation management and other nature-based solutions.Of the total project cost, Andhra Pradesh govt will contribute 10% of the funding through the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA). The remaining 90% is proposed to be granted under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund by the Union ministry of home affairs.Visakhapatnam has increasingly been affected by coastal erosion due to both natural weather conditions and human intervention. Whenever disturbances arise in the Bay of Bengal, large stretches of the city’s coastline suffer severe erosion. Areas from Bheemunipatnam to Coastal Battery have been particularly affected.The RK Beach area, in particular, has been hit several times in the past, with tides washing away embankments, while coastal erosion has also extended as far as Rushikonda Beach in previous years. Due to the intensity of the waves, parts of the beach road are gradually collapsing and, in some instances, are being swallowed by the sea. The issue has become increasingly serious over time, posing a threat to residents of several fishing villages along the coast.Following a recent review meeting, officials noted that Visakhapatnam beach road is frequently vulnerable to erosion. Coastal stretches near fishing settlements and villages around Bheemunipatnam are among the worst affected. Several tourist attractions on the beach road have also been facing recurring threats from coastal erosion.According to official estimates, about 28.8 km of Visakhapatnam’s coastline is categorised as highly erosion-prone, while 46.2 km falls under moderate or low erosion categories. Critical assets under threat include the Kursura Submarine Museum, Gokul Park, the TU-142 Aircraft Museum, several public parks, premium hotels, and the beach road connecting Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam.The Visakhapatnam Port Trust has been carrying out annual beach nourishment projects in the eroded RK Beach area to restore the beachfront. However, the primary objective of the proposed project is to mitigate further coastal erosion and develop a comprehensive shoreline management plan for Visakhapatnam.