PWD to add 9 more groynes along Ennore Creek

Under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) funding, the Water Resources Department (WRD) will add nine more groynes at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore. It will be installed along the fishermen villages -- Chinnakuppam, Periyakuppam and ahead of Ernavoor Kuppam.

An official said, “We are planning to initiate the project after December 15, if no rain has been predicted. It would take a minimum of seven months to complete it. This plan is aimed at reducing the instances of sea erosion.”

The fishermen communities of Chinnakuppam and Periyakuppam suffer even after a brief spell of rain. The occurrences of inundation remained a constant scene for years together.

Originally, the project was sanctioned in 2015 to build 19 groynes at the affected areas near Ennore Creek. However, nearly 10 groynes were laid along Talankuppam to mitigate the erosion in 2017.

An expert team found that groynes laid along Talangkuppam hamlet were disturbed after facing three cyclones in a short span of time.

“A few groynes were disturbed over the period. The groynes must be re-installed. But we positioned it at an angle to pave way for an easy exit and entry of fishermen’s boats to the river. Now, we will add a few more boulders to address the condition,” an official said.

He affirmed that a proposal to add 12 more groynes along Ennore Creek has been sent to the government. “The groynes can bring a solution to soil erosion for the time being. The river will find its course eventually,” he added.