Expert panel exploring solutions to control sea erosion in Tiruchendur: T.N. Minister Sekarbabu

Experts aim for long-term solution to sea erosion in Thiruchendur, focusing on preventing problem displacement, with government support.

Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekarbabu on Monday (January 27, 2025) said the committee of experts trying to find a remedy to the problem of sea erosion in Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district are aiming at finding a long-term solution and also one that will not push the problem to another spot. For the past two days, the experts have been brainstorming and discussing various proposals submitted by teams from NCCR, NIOT, IIT-Madras, Fisheries department and NABARD, who visited the spot and conducted studies.  

S.A. Sannasiraj, professor, Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT-M said that the sands had been washed away in the impact of severe storm in the Bay of Bengal. The issue is the same at Kulasekarapattinam and upto Thoothukudi. The sands that have been washed away by wave action will be brought back slowly over the next few weeks.

“Every year, the sand gets washed away but there will be accretion also. However, we cannot keep quiet waiting for it to replenish. We are working on a long-term solution,” he added. He also said that a detailed project report was completed two years ago and that would be implemented by the government after analysis and cross-verification.  

Mr. Sekarbabu said that the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had been appraised of the problem of sea erosion and that he had impressed upon him and the Fisheries Minister, and Member of Parliament Kanimozhi, to take steps to ensure the safety of the villages and the temples. The report of the expert committee will be submitted to the Chief Minister who will take a final call, he added.