Uppada Coastal Protection Gets Major Boost

Andhra Pradesh has taken a major step towards protecting the erosion-hit Uppada coastline in Kakinada district. An MoU was signed at the Mangalagiri camp office in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, assigning IIT Madras responsibility for preparing the design and Detailed Project Report (DPR), besides providing technical supervision for the proposed coastal protection wall. The project, estimated at ₹323 crore, will be undertaken with approval from the Central government’s National Disaster Management Fund (NDMF). The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) will act as the nodal agency, while the AP Maritime Board will serve as the executing agency for the construction works.

Experts from IIT Madras will undertake scientific studies of the Uppada coastline, examining the severity of coastal erosion, sea currents, wave action and other factors. Based on these assessments, technically suitable coastal protection measures and structural designs will be developed. With the formal MoU process now completed, the district administration is making arrangements to commence the project works from November. Officials said the project is particularly important for safeguarding residents of the Uppada coastal belt and nearby fishing villages from the continuing impact of coastal erosion.