There is an Indian solution for beach erosion, the fallout of global warming and climate change. Scientists of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (under the Ministry of Earth Sciences)  have reconstructed a beach which fell victim to erosion over the years.

“It was a beach nourishment programme. The Puducherry coastline, one of the scenic and serene beaches, had lost much of its surface charm and area due to sea erosion over a period of time. We were contacted by the Government of the Union territory when it became a cause of concern and that was how NIOT entered the scene,” Dr M Atmanand, director, NIOT, told The Pioneer.

Scientists led by Dr M V Ramana Murthy, project director, undertook a study of the coastline with satellite pictures and field data and used it to run models which revealed the intensity of the erosion.

The engineering minds of the institute felt that a “new” beach could be built with the introduction of submerged dyke using steel caisson (a giant structure made of 900 tonnes of  steel which is submerged into the sea) and allowing  the beach to grow by itself.

“This submerged structure, which is at a distance of about 100 metres from the shore, reduced the wave activity by working as a breakwater and allowed free movement of the sand  towards the shore,” explained Dr Murthy.

The pilot project saw the beach gaining an extent of 60 meters and this led to the major venture. The sand dredged from the port was used for “nourishment” For the complete restoration, another dyke at the south side is being worked.

The steel caisson built by the NIOT is  of 60 meter long, 50 meter wide and has an elevation of 2.5 metre. It acted as an artificial reef and was lowered into the sea on August 2018.

“As a consequence, the sandy  beach started to restore of the south side of the beach and is still growing. It is expected to grow to the extent of the expectations to restore as looked on old days, so as to walk along the coast,” said Kiran Bedi, the Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry.

Bedi, who is monitoring the project to restore the beach has expressed  her desire to have the restoration of the entire stretch which was swallowed by the sea. Dr Atmanand is of the view that it was possible and NIOT could take up the project soon.

The submerged dyke  venture could be extended to other parts of the country for restoring and reconstructing the beaches which vanished due to erosion. The process developed by the NIOT could be the ideal beautification programme for Mother India, the country was looking for, feels scientists of NIOT.

“It all depends on factors like topography, speed of the wind and some more geographical features. We are confident of resolving the issue of beach  erosion,” said Dr Atmanand.