Cabinet nods for ₹175-crore coastal erosion project in Vizag
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has given in-principle approval for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a ₹172–175 crore coastal erosion mitigation project covering the stretch between RK Beach and Bheemunipatnam (Bheemili).
The Centre has allocated ₹175 crore under the Disaster Mitigation Fund, with 90 per cent of the project cost to be borne by the Centre and the remaining 10 per cent by the State government.
Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Chief Engineer Vinay Kumar said the authority was awaiting guidelines from the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department on assigning the study to the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, or IIT Madras. The selected agency will assess wave patterns, coastal dynamics and long-term engineering solutions before the project goes to tender.
Visakhapatnam’s coastline has faced persistent erosion since the construction of the port’s outer harbour in the 1970s disrupted natural sand movement. Cyclones Hudhud (2014), Jawad (2021) and Michaung (2023) further aggravated the problem, with the beach reportedly losing more than 50 metres of width along RK Beach.
Past measures, including granite boulder dumping, geotextile tubes and periodic sand replenishment by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, have offered limited protection. High tides during the monsoon continue to damage footpaths near the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, expose World War II-era pillboxes and erode sections of the coastal children’s park.
The VMRDA and civic agencies have identified 30 vulnerable locations along the stretch, including the submarine museum, Coconut Arena near Sea Hotel, the children’s park, Rushikonda, Mangamaripeta and Bheemili.
The proposed study will examine longer-term measures such as submerged offshore reefs, groynes, controlled sand nourishment, and coastal bio-shields to reduce wave energy and protect the shoreline.