The Karnataka government is hopeful of completing the first phase of the project to tackle sea erosion by May, according to HC Mahadevappa, Karnataka Minister for Public Works, Ports and Inland Transport.

Addressing presspersons after inspecting the dredging works near the Old Mangalore Port on Tuesday, he said the government had signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the ₹911-crore project in 2011 to tackle sea erosion along the 300-km Karnataka coast. While the Karnataka government shares 15 per cent of this project cost, the remaining is funded by ADB.

First phase work Of this, four works to the tune of ₹223 crore were taken up in the first phase at Ullal in Mangaluru taluk. The works included the establishment of six in-shore berms at a cost of ₹29.7 crore and two off-shore reefs at a cost of ₹115 crore at Ullal. Other works included the rehabilitation of Ullal breakwaters at a cost of ₹57 crore and sand nourishment activities at a cost of ₹18 crore.

He said that three works in the first phase are expected to be completed by May. Works related to sand nourishment will be included in the second phase.

Second phase The ₹673-crore second phase works will be taken up on a stretch of 54.75 km will be taken up at Someshwara, Yermal Tenka, Udyavara, Kodi Bengre, Pavinakurve, Kodi Kanyana, Maravanthe and Murdeshwara in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

Mahadevappa said the Chief Minister has been requested to earmark around ₹600 crore for the development of minor ports in Karnataka during this year’s budget.

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