2 weeks ago
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A show appraisal of the offshore breakwater task astatine Poonthura successful Thiruvananthapuram territory has yielded encouraging results, prompting the Kerala authorities undertaking, the State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC), to see expanding the programme to much locations on the Kerala coast.
A June 2026 study prepared for KSCADC by Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) pointed to “significant buildup” of formation country astatine Poonthura aft the operation of the submerged breakwater (SBW) comprising geotextile tubes, peculiarly from 2024 onwards.
KSCADC is present examining exemplary studies conducted by NIOT for Shangumugham and Valiyathura successful Thiruvananthapuram territory and studies by Indian Institute of Technology-Madras for Kollam formation and Cherai successful Ernakulam district, KSCADC managing manager Sheikh Pareed said.
Satellite imagery investigation comparing the pre-construction (2022) and post-construction conditions (2026) indicates “substantial formation accretion” down the submerged breakwater segments, the NIOT study connected Poonthura said. “Overall, the investigation shows an mean summation successful formation width of astir 37 metres successful the sheltered areas down the dyke segments, demonstrating the effectiveness of the submerged breakwaters successful reducing question energy, promoting sediment deposition, and enhancing formation enactment on the task site,” it said.
Preserving coastline
Shore extortion measures successful Poonthura utilizing geotextile tubes filled with soil slurry were launched with the purpose of preserving the coastline portion creating a unchangeable beach. The State authorities has sanctioned ₹20 crore done the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) to deploy custom-designed geotube exertion on the Poonthura coastal stretch. This ambitious inaugural was entrusted to KSCADC and the exemplary survey was done by NIOT.
The geotubes person varying lengths (20 metres, 16 metres and 12 metres) and a circumference of 15 metres. When filled with sand, they measurement betwixt 200 tonnes to 250 tonnes. The task progressive deploying them successful 5 segments, each measuring 100 metres, with a 50-meter spread betwixt them, implicit a full region of 700 metres. KSCADC began the implementation astatine Poonthura successful 2022.
“The simplification successful question vigor caused by question breaking down the SBW structures has promoted sediment accumulation and formation enactment successful the sheltered region. These findings are accordant with feedback from section fishermen, who person reported affirmative impacts associated with the operation of the SBW segments,” the NIOT study said. Overall, the 5 segments exhibited an mean summation successful sediment deposition of astir 1.6 metres successful tallness down the segments, indicating important sediment accumulation and shoreline stabilisation successful the task area, it said.
