First phase of groyne field construction completed

The first phase of groyne field (pulimuttu) construction using tetrapods along the Alappuzha coast has been completed.

The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) has constructed 114 groynes with a total length of 11.26 kms at five places- Kattoor, Ambalapuzha, Arattupuzha, Vattachal and Pathiyankara at a cost of ₹223.18 crore sanctioned under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.

“In the first phase, groynes were constructed in areas prone to severe sea surges. The groynes, which extend from the shore into the sea, will help reduce the impact of waves and prevent coastal erosion. As a result, more sand will accumulate, allowing a natural shoreline to form,” said a KIIDC official.

Thirty-four groynes with a total length of 3.16 km have been constructed at Kattoor in Mararikkulam South grama panchayat in Alappuzha Assembly constituency. Likewise, a 30-metre seawall and 30 groynes with a combined length of 3.6 km have been completed in Punnapra South, Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South grama panchayats in Ambalapuzha Assembly constituency.

In Arattupuzha grama panchayat in Haripad Assembly constituency, 21 groynes, measuring 1.2 km in length, and a 40-metre seawall have been constructed at Arattupuzha. Besides, 16 groynes with a length of 1.8 km have been built at Vattachal in the local body. At Pathiyankara in Thrikkunnapuzha grama panchayat, also under Haripad constituency, 13 groynes with a length of 1.5 km have been completed.

The groynes have been constructed using tetrapods weighing two and five tonnes. After laying granite stones of different sizes, tetrapods were placed on top. Groyne fields, 100 metres apart, were built without hampering the flow of floodwaters into the sea through existing channels.

In the second phase of the project, groyne fields will come up at Ottamassery (9 groynes) in Cherthala Assembly constituency, Kattoor-Pollethai (9) in Alappuzha, Kakkazhom (19) in Ambalapuzha and Nellanikkal (4) in Haripad at a total cost of ₹107.75 crore. Officials said the work on the second phase had already begun.

In addition, temporary protective walls using geo-bags have been constructed in Arattupuzha, Thrikkunnapuzha and Pattanakkad grama panchayats to mitigate the impact of sea surges.