Keri locals oppose tetrapods, fear tourism loss at beach

Mapusa: Local shack owners and businessmen in Keri have demanded that the construction of a protective wall and tetrapods, along the remaining 100m of coast, has put their businesses at risk. The wall and tetrapods are being constructed at Keri beach to prevent sea erosion, protect the coastline, and mitigate environmental risks.

Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar inspected the area, accompanied by officials from the water resources department (WRD), panchayat members, and locals.

Local business owners near the coastline have said that the tetrapods have made the beach unappealing, making it less attractive to tourists.

“According to the locals and tourism stakeholders, the remaining 100-m stretch should not be laid with tetrapods as it will mar the beach. No shacks could be erected, which would result in a loss of tourism business for shack operators as well as local guesthouse owners. I have told them to pass a resolution in the panchayat in this regard and send me a copy, so that the same can be forwarded to the WRD minister, urging him not to carry out the work of laying tetrapods on the remaining stretch of Keri beach,” said the Mandrem MLA.

WRD had erected the 1,600m gabion seawall at Keri in 2008 for Rs 4.2 crore, but it disintegrated within three years.

Tetrapods erected on the eroding Keri beach, considered a stronger shore-protection system after the collapse of the gabion seawall, also appear to be disintegrating. This is due to wave action slowly dismantling the structure.

The installation of tetrapods was initiated in 2012, and now their disintegration is posing a threat to the shoreline and beachgoers.

A total of Rs 11.4 crore had been spent at Keri for a 650 m stretch, including casting of 1,200 tetrapods and 2,000 blocks each weighing a tonne.