Experts inspect damaged saline embankment at Pentha Beach in Odisha
Kendrapara, Nov 3 (UNI)A high-level technical team led by Chief Engineer Bighnaraj Purohit and Superintendent Engineer Sambit Kumar Sahu of the Aul Saline Embankment Division visited Pentha Beach in Odisha’s Kendrapara district to inspect the dilapidated saline embankment.
The team observed that rocks used in the embankment had slipped and sand had settled during high tide due to the erosive force of the sea.
Notably, rocks from about 150 feet on the left side and 20 feet on the right side of the Geo-synthetic tube sea wall had been displaced.
After assessing the damage, the team assured that permanent repair measures would be initiated soon. They noted, however, that the Geosynthetic tube sea wall itself remained structurally intact due to its protective design.
The wall, designed by IIT Chennai experts at a cost of Rs.. 32.95 crore, was constructed to safeguard 56 villages under Rajnagar block, protecting over 41,000 residents from sea erosion and tidal surges.
However, during previous high tides, some stones in the Gabion boxes placed along the coast were washed away as the high-tensile ropes holding them failed.
These ropes were found floating in the sea after being damaged in 2016. To reinforce protection, an additional layer was later constructed in front of the Geo-tube wall.
Earlier, on October 30, District Collector Raghuram R. Iyar, along with engineers and officials, had visited Pentha Beach to review the scouring near the Geo-synthetic tube wall.
The recent high tides in the Bay of Bengal have again raised concerns among villagers as parts of the saline embankment have been eroded.
