VISAKHAPATNAM: The Centre has approved a Rs 176-crore coastal erosion mitigation project for vulnerable stretches along the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region (VMR) under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), paving the way for a series of structural and ecological interventions across erosion-prone coastal areas.
The project, titled “Enhancing the Coastal Resilience in Visakhapatnam”, was initiated by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) to address increasing shoreline erosion affecting several coastal stretches within the metropolitan region.
A preliminary DPR prepared with NCCR, Chennai, initially estimated the project cost at Rs 203 crore. The SC-NEC approved the revised Rs 176-crore proposal on February 19, 2026, followed by HLC approval on March 30, 2026.
Under the approved funding pattern, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will provide Rs 158.40 crore, while the State government will contribute Rs 17.60 crore, following a 90:10 cost-sharing ratio.
Project needs to be completed within 20 months
According to NDMA guidelines, the project is to be completed within 20 months from the date of issue of the work order. The funds will be released in three instalments. The first instalment of 30 per cent amounts to Rs 52.80 crore, including Rs 47.52 crore from NDMA and Rs 5.28 crore from the State government, and will be released upon submission of project milestones.
The second instalment of 40 per cent totals Rs 70.40 crore, while the final instalment of 30 per cent amounts to Rs 52.80 crore. Release of subsequent instalments will be subject to submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) for at least 75 per cent of previously released funds along with expenditure details against approved components. The project comprises a mix of engineering structures, ecological restoration measures and non-structural interventions across identified high, moderate and low-risk coastal stretches.
The largest component of the project is the proposed retaining wall along the Gokul Park and Kursura stretch at RK Beach, estimated at Rs 71 crore.
The stretch has been categorised as a high-risk erosion zone. The intervention will cover 1.1 km near Gokul Park and 0.4 km near the Submarine Museum.
Authorities have proposed a hybrid solution involving construction of an RCC retaining wall with pile foundations along with sand nourishment measures. At Mangamaripeta, a deflection wall and beach nourishment works have been proposed at a cost of Rs 43 crore.
The area has been classified under the moderate-risk category. Reef enhancement and associated beach protection measures have also been proposed at Bheemunipatnam at an estimated cost of Rs 37 crore.
The project further includes development of bio-shields across 26 coastal locations within the VMR region at a cost of Rs 13 crore.
These interventions, categorised under low-risk mitigation measures, are intended to strengthen natural coastal buffers through plantation-based protection systems.
As part of the preparatory process, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) demarcation has been entrusted to the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Visakhapatnam. Detailed technical studies have been assigned to the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, while IIT Madras has been engaged for preparation of the DPR and structural design consultancy.
The Chief Secretary has also written to the Government of India seeking advance release of 30 per cent of the project funds to both Kakinada and VMRDA,” VMRDA Commissioner N Tej Bharath told TNIE.