A part of footpath on the Beach Road near the Kursura
Submarine Museum collapsed on Saturday due to high tides and massive beach
erosion.
Erosion has been causing panic among scores of people
frequenting the beachfront for the past few days.
After senior engineers from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
Port Trust, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and Visakhapatnam Urban
Development Authority inspected the area, Commissioner GVMC M.V. Satyanarayana
consulted experts of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and professors of
AU and decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy to arrest erosion undertake
permanent measures in two to three months. Mr. Satyanarayana said they had
decided to construct a geo-grid to stop immediate erosion. In two to three
months, geo-tubes for shoreline protection would be installed as a permanent
measure, he stated.
The exact reason for the sudden sea surge has become a
subject of debate. While some say the method followed for building Kursura
museum, the first submarine museum of South Asia, could be the reason,
scientists of NIO, Visakhapatnam Regional Centre contend that it could be due
to impact of cyclones Phailin, Helen and Lehar. When contacted, Principal
Scientist in-charge of NIO V.S.N. Murty said the damage caused to the footpath
is an offshoot of continuous erosion caused by cyclones hitting the Bay in
quick succession during 2013.
GITAM University president and former MP M.V.V.S. Murthi
alleged that massive construction in the outer harbour aggravated the problem
and sought a grant of Rs.100 crore by Visakhapatnam Port to protect the
beachfront.
To prevent onlookers thronging the area, the authorities
cordoned off the area as the threat of the remaining extent of the footpath
caving in loomed large.
Residents of the area expressed concern over the rapid
erosion and sought curbs on construction on the beachfront. “Now the time has
come to strictly enforce Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions,” J.V. Ratnam, an
environmental activist, said.
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