BRIEF NOTE ON PERMENENT RESTORATION WORKS TO PREVENT SEA EROSON ON

VAKALPUDI – EDATAM ROAD AT UPPADA

The Vakalapudi – Edatam road is an important (R&B) State Highway
(Cornet Raod) in East Godavari District, having a total length of 46 Kms. The road runs close
to the Bay of Bengal and connects several fishermen villages of Kakinada Rural Mandal, U.
Kothapalli and Thondangi Mandals to the District Head Quarters and Port City of Kakinada.
This road starts at Km.3.500 of Sarpavaram junction to Vakalapudi light housepeta road
(M.D.R) and crosses Kakinada – Rajanagaram (ADB) road and Samalkota – Uppada road.

This road is passing through number of fishermen villages’ upto Tuni and
number of R&B roads and heavy intensity of traffic prevails on the road as the public of all
these villages travels on this road to reach Kakinada City on one side and to reach Pilgrim
centre at Annavaram on other side. The Road stretch from Km.6/800 to 11/210 runs in
very close proximity (i.e., 1.00M to 10.00M) to the Sea i.e., Bay-of-Bengal. Due to
"HUDHUD" Cyclone during 11.10.2014 to 12-10-2014 the Road embankment is eroded
Upto BT carriageway in the stretch from km.6/800 to 11/210 in bits and in very dangerous
condition. The Restoration is very much essential for free flow of traffic. Tidal waves
during high tides are further eroding the embankment and there is every possibility of
breaching of the existing road and Sea waters may enter in to the nearby Paddy Fields and
may cause extensive damage to Ryths and residents, if protection is not taken up on war
footing basis.

As a permanent remedy to the long lasting problem of severs sea erosion and
damages thereof to the Vakalapudi – Edatam road nearby Uppada and Konapapaeta
Villages, the (R&B) Department submitted the following two proposals to the Government of
Andhra Pradesh during the year 2012

1. Construction of Sea wall with Geo – Synthetic Products (GEOTUBE) on

Vakalapudi – Edatam road Km. 7.200 to 9.300 & Km.21.000 to 21.200
(2.300 Kms) in East Godavari District. --- EstimateRs.70.00 Crores.

2. Construction of Sea wall with Armour Units (TETROPODS) on Vakalapudi

– Edatam road from Km. 9.300 to 11.210 (1.910 Kms.) in East Godavari
District. --- Estimate Rs.60.00 Crores.
 The above proposals have been initiated based on the recommendation and
Consultancy Services provided by Ocean Engineering Department, I.I.T, Chennai.

Among the above two propaosal, the 1 st proposal has been considered favourably
and cleared by the Finance Department for necessary approval. But later on, the proposal
has been reviewed by the T(R&B) Department and informed that the Government in
principal decide to construct the sea wall for one kilometre length in vulnerable stretches of
the Vakalapudi – Edatam road as a Pilot project and called for the modified estimate for 1
Km length.

In compliance with the said instructions of the Government, the Superintending

Engineer (R&B) Kakinada has submitted an estimate for an amount of Rs.38.00 Crores duly
proposing for construction of sea wall with Armour Units (TETROPODS) from Km.9.300 to
9.600 (0.300 Kms) with a sub-estimate cost of Rs.10.00 Crores and sea wall with Geo-
synthetic products (GEOTUBE) from Km.8.600 to 9.300 (0.700Kms) with a sub-estimate cost
of Rs.28.00 Crores. The stretch of 1 Km road (Km 8.600 to 9.600) now proposed for
protection with a sea wall is located between Vakalapudi and Uppada villages.

The above proposal is under consideration the (R&B) Department and due for
approval by the Government.

Now due to HUDHUD Cyclone the reach has further damaged from 6/800 to 11/210
requiring immediate permanent restoration with an approximate cost of 180 crores for Sea
wall & Tetra heads and further protection of construction of Groins for an amount of further
150 to 160 crores so as to protect the sea coast as well as road.

EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (R&B)

(R&B) DIVISION, KAKINADA.