Muthlapozhi: Measures taken to design sand bypass system. Thiruvananthapuram News – Times of India

Thiruvananthapuram: The Department of Harbor Engineering has taken steps to conceptualize and design a sand bypass system. Muthlapozhi fishing port. The department has recently invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from registered architects/experienced consultancy organizations for preparing the design of sand bypass system.
According to the EOI document, the port mouth is gradually filled with silt at the beginning of summer and eventually filled with sediment transported from the port. Vamanapuram River and coastal stream from the sea. During the southwest monsoon, the backwaters along the coast also fill up.
After the breakwater formation, there is a problem of calmness within the channel and the breaking of waves has been observed in the channel due to accumulation of sand. As a result, the maneuverability of ships in the channel becomes difficult during certain seasons and accidents are frequent, notes the document.
The south side accretion and the erosion on the north side of the estuary are to be resolved through this project so that the sand can be bypassed from the south side to the north side using HDPE pipes and it is possible to establish a permanent bypass system. possible so that it can be prevented. Port mouth and channel from siltation.
Officials said the design work has been handed over and once the final design is completed, the work will be tendered. fisheries minister Saji Cherian In 2021, the assembly was told that 58 fishermen have lost their lives in the last 10 years due to accidental drowning at various places between Enchuthengu and Veli.
The minister said that as per first information reports collected from coastal and local police stations, 11 fishermen died due to accidents at Muthlapozhi port in the last five years (2016-21).
Accidents happen due to sand accumulation in the port. The minister had said that steps are being taken to increase the dredging and depth as per the MoU signed with the Adani Group.
Officials had informed that an environmental impact assessment study would be conducted to initiate a sustainable sand process by which sand being deposited in the southern part could be dispersed in the northern region, which is highly prone to sea erosion. Is. An agreement was signed with a firm based in Kochi.
A team of experts had earlier visited Muthlapozhi and National Institute of Ocean TechnologyChennai was entrusted with the task of studying the defects in the construction of the Muthlapozhi port.
The minister had informed the assembly about the damage to the coast in the northern part after the construction of the Muthlapozhi port.