Batpady beach road again threatened by sea erosion

Only a few days ago it was reconstructed by the State government, says resident

Rajeevi is standing outside her house adjoining the Batpady beach road or fisheries road on Sunday afternoon watching the huge sea waves washing away portions of the road.

”Looking at the way these waves are hitting the coast, the remaining portion of this already damaged road will be washed away in a couple of days. Myself and residents of the 10 houses in the locality will then be left with no motorable road,” she said.

“Officials come here and return and nothing is being done for us,” she said and showed the sunken merchant vessel Princess Miral that is clearly seen from her house.

Rajeevi is among the residents of Batpady who are concerned over sea waves continuing to swallow the road connecting the verdant Batpady beach and Someshwara.

The raging waves have washed away nearly 500 metres of the fisheries road close to Batpady beach. Only a single lane of another 500 meters is visible and this too is fast eroding.

“Last year too, this happened and only a few days ago this road was reconstructed by the State government. The reconstructed fisheries road is again damaged,” said Rajeevi, who has been living in the area for the last 22 years.

Rajeevi’s neighbour Hassainer, a tender coconut seller, said that he and the other residents of the locality do not know the reason why the sea has made its way close to their houses.