The much-hyped geo synthetic tube sea wall that was constructed at Pentha to protect the villages from erosion, would fail to meet the purpose, stated Superintendent Engineer(SE) of Irrigation department Subrat Das.
Das paid a visit to the sea wall site accompanied by Aul Saline Embankment Executive Engineer Purna Chandra Rath and other senior officials recently.
The geo synthetic sea wall has been set up on experimental basis with technical support from consultants from IIT, Chennai. The Aul Saline Embankment was entrusted for execution of the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme (ICZMP) project.
The gabion boxes filled with granites have been damaged in the coast in some of the sea wall portion. The sea has devoured the stone pack during the high tide following the high tensile rope used in the gabion box failed to keep the granites intact.
High tensile rope was found floating on the sea water after it was damaged in high tide. So, the villagers of Pentha raised question on the stability of the State’s maiden sea wall project completed about a month ago.
Uncertainty looms over the success of sea wall, stated senior officials, who visited to the site.
“A high level meeting would be organised with experts from IIT Chennai. The remedial measures would be discussed. Pune-based Garware Wall Ropes limited has been asked to join the discussion. Meanwhile, a protection layer work for the wall has been carried out. Big rock filling works has been started in front of the sea wall to protect it,” stated SE Das.
locals, however, alleged sub standard work.
Notably, the foundation stone of the project had been laid down by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 30, 2009.