Date:12/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081258310300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Restoration work yet to start at Gopalpur

Staff Reporter

-Photo: Lingaraj Panda

The compound wall of the lighthouse that was washed away by tidal waves lays un-repaired in Gopalpur on Monday.

BERHAMPUR: Restoration work is yet to take shape at Gopalpur beach resort which had faced severe wrath of sea erosion during 2006 and 2007.

According to the chairperson of the Gopalpur Notified Area Council (NAC), Sashibhusan Mohanty, till date no planned effort to protect the beach has been taken up by the State government except high sounding promises.

The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) had proposed to take up a guard wall project at a cost of around Rs. 10.40 crore on the Gopalpur coast to save it from erosion. It was to be on the lines of the advanced guard wall built up on the Puducherry coast.

The guard wall was to have wave breakers to protect the constructions on the beach from erosion. Special lighting arrangement was to be on the guard wall to make the beach more lighted and attractive for the tourists. But the project is yet to take shape.

The establishments that had suffered due to sea erosion have not yet dared to take up repair work due to fear of similar action of the waves any time without the protection of any guard wall. The compound wall of the light house which was washed away by the waves last year is yet to be re-erected.