Chennai: The state government has planned to take up massive anti sea erosion works in Killiyur Assembly constituency in the coastal Kanyakumari district in TN, as part of an effort to prevent the corrosion of shores and intrusion of saline water as well.
Responding to a request by the Congress MLA S. Rajesh Kumar, representing Killiyur constituency, in the Assembly on Wednesday, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy informed that the construction of breakwater structures or Groyne is being considered.
The structures are planned at Killiyur-Vilavancode-Thuthur areas for Rs 166 lakh cost, Vilavancode-Chinnathurai for Rs 198 lakh, Vilavancode-Eraimanthurai for Rs 309 lakh, Vilavancode-Vallavilaithurai for Rs 456 lakh, Agastheeswaram-Melmanakudy at a cost of Rs 154 lakh, Vilavancode-Mullurthurai for Rs 136.50 lakh, Vilavancode-Karaiyanthoppu-Thengapattinam for Rs 129 lakhs and Agastheeswaram-Vallamthurai for Rs 159 lakhs.
In addition, a project to build a check dam at Mangadu at an outlay of Rs 18 crore is under consideration, he added.
Congress whip S. Vijayadharani urged the government to initiate similar work to contain the saline water intrusion into the Thamaraibarani river, which was the lifeline of agriculture and a chief source of drinking water in Kanyakumari district.
DMK member Mano Thangaraj suggested relocating the check dam between Mangadu and Thengapatnam.
