Puri: Experts from National Institute of Oceanic Technology (NIOT) and National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) are scheduled to inspect the coastal erosion due to sea ingress here for two days starting September 5.
A NIOT team comprising experts MB Ramanuja Murthy, Satyakiran Raju, Arun Kumar Ahluwalia and PK Panigrahi will carry out the inspection September 5, said Irrigation department Puri division executive engineer Pramod Rout.
According to Rout, NCSCM experts including Manikant, Mullera Shah, Isaac Rajan and Arun Kumar will take stock of the situation September 6. “The experts will also inspect Mangala estuary,” Rout said.
Notably, strong waves had eaten away portions of the beach in 2006 and once again in 2016. Experts from various institutes and agencies had then examined the coastal erosion, but no concrete step was taken in this regard.
Sources claimed that the Irrigation department is mulling to build a sea wall to tackle coastal erosion. Moreover, it is trying to prevent Mangala river from changing its course frequently. “The department has prepared an estimate of Rs 14 crore for the two projects. It will prepare a detail project report (DPR) in this regard after consulting the experts,” they added.
Meanwhile, some sand deposition was reported from the beach near Swargadwar cremation ground Sunday. Strong waves had swept away at least a 200-metre long stretch at Swargadwar a few days ago.
