Expert team recommends measures to protect Shanghumugham Beach from sea erosion

Time of India

27-06-2025

Thiruvananthapuram: An expert team led by M V Ramana Murthy, technical advisor of National Centre for Coastal Research and director of Deep Ocean Mission, visited Shanghumugham Beach on Thursday to submit recommendations to govt for its protection against severe sea erosion.
A meeting, chaired by Antony Raju, MLA, was convened later to analyse the steps to be taken to prevent the beach from further erosion. During the meeting, the team requested tourism department to approve and commence construction on the irrigation department's proposal to urgently protect the Shanghumugham Arattu Mandapam using polypropylene geo bags.
The meeting thoroughly examined suggestions such as using geo tubes, groynes, sand nourishment and diaphragm walls for protecting the beach.
It was assessed that the project should be implemented in a way that protects the coastline, road and tourism facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy the beach without disturbing fishing activities and facilitating the smooth conduct of the Arattu procession from Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, while also being environmentally sustainable.
The meeting also decided to submit details of the first phase of the project to govt, which involves installing geo tubes at a depth of 6m in the sea, 200m away from the shore, along a 1.5km stretch at Shanghumugham to reduce the impact of large waves and conduct sand nourishment on the shore.
After evaluating its progress, if necessary, the plan to implement small groynes in Kannanthura, Vettukad and Kochuveli areas to prevent sea turbulence at Shanghumugham, along with sand nourishment on the shore, will be executed in the second phase. This recommendation will be submitted to the chief minister and to the ministers of public works, tourism, water resources and fisheries.
The meeting was also attended by Kerala Coastal Development Corporation managing director Sheikh Pareeth, councillor Seraphin Freddy, major irrigation superintending engineer Bindu, tourism department deputy director Ansar KAS and officials from the public works and district tourism promotion council.