VMRDA pitches Rs 203 crore coastal erosion mitigation plan to Union govt

Visakhapatnam: Officials of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) on Thursday presented their coastal erosion mitigation project, estimated at ₹203 crore, before the sub-committee of the national executive committee. Prepared in collaboration with the National Centre for Coastal Research, the detailed project report incorporates scientific inputs and stakeholder feedback from fishing communities and institutions such as the National Institute of Oceanography, Andhra University, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology. The project spans the coastline from Coastal Battery Junction to Bheemili.The plan has identified 30 erosion-prone sites. Of these, the RK Beach area has been categorised as high-risk, while Pedajalaripeta, Mangamaripeta, and Bheemunipatnam fall under moderate risk. The remaining 26 stretches are classified as low-risk zones.VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Tej Bharath said the project aims to address escalating threats of coastal erosion and flooding that have affected the region since 2007. "The total estimated cost is ₹203 crore, with the Andhra Pradesh government contributing 10% through APSDMA. The remaining 90% is proposed under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The project will help prevent land loss, protect tourism assets such as the submarine museum, and safeguard local fishing productivity," he said.Upon approval, the project will be executed through a coordinated mechanism involving the state disaster management authority and local panchayats, with a technical advisory committee providing ongoing monitoring. About 28.8 km of Visakhapatnam's coastline is categorised as highly erosion-prone, while 46.2 km falls under moderate or low-risk categories. Critical assets under threat include the Kursura submarine museum, TU-142 aircraft museum, Gokul Park, public parks, premium hotels, and the beach road linking Visakhapatnam to Bheemili.