Sun Jun 01 08:31:41 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Ports and Inland Water Transport Department of Karnataka, India, has proposed the construction of five groynes along the Uchhila-Batpady beachfront in Ullal taluk, off Mangaluru, to combat severe sea erosion. This proposal comes after offshore reefs and inshore berms, implemented in 2021-2022 at a significant cost, proved ineffective. The erosion has already severed the link road to Batpady, isolating several households. The department seeks ₹70 crore under the National Disaster Mitigation Scheme (NDMS) for the groyne construction and road restoration. This approach is inspired by the successful implementation of groynes at Maravanthe Beach in Udupi district, which protected the highway and nourished the beach.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka Department Proposes Groynes to Fight Sea Erosion in Ullal After Previous Efforts Fail**
**MANGALURU, June 1, 2025** – In response to escalating sea erosion threatening the Uchhila-Batpady coastline in Ullal taluk, near Mangaluru, the Karnataka Ports and Inland Water Transport Department has proposed the construction of five groynes. This action follows the failure of previously implemented offshore reefs and inshore berms to effectively mitigate the erosion.
The erosion has already caused significant damage, including the complete washout of the link road to Batpady, cutting off access to several residences. The proposed groynes, each 60 meters long, aim to absorb the impact of waves and promote beach nourishment.
“The situation has become critical, necessitating a proven solution,” stated a source within the department. “The groynes have shown success in other regions and we are confident they will protect the Ullal coastline.”
The department has submitted a ₹70 crore proposal to the government under the National Disaster Mitigation Scheme (NDMS), which includes the cost of groyne construction and the restoration of the damaged road. If approved, work is expected to begin after the monsoon season.
Previous attempts to combat the erosion included the construction of offshore reefs in 2021-2022 and inshore berms along the Ullal-Someshwara-Uchhila beachfront, funded by the Asian Development Bank. While these projects incurred expenses of approximately ₹50 crore and ₹130 crore, respectively, they largely failed to prevent the erosion.
The proposal is based on the success of a similar project at Maravanthe Beach in Udupi district, where 24 groynes were built in 2020. The Maravanthe project has not only protected the beachfront and the Panvel-Kochi National Highway 66 but also led to significant beach nourishment.
The department hopes that the groyne construction will prove to be a long-term solution to protect the coastline and infrastructure in the Ullal region.
First Piper 