The Water Resources Department has approached the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT-Madras, to scrutinise its report of the project to control sea erosion along the coastline, including along Ennore High Road.

Officials of the WRD said as the project is to be implemented with a new technology, the expertise of IIT-M was sought to provide suggestions and modifications. Geotextiles product "Geo-tubes", instead of concrete groynes, are to be used for the first time by the WRD.

The project is estimated to cost about Rs.130 crore. Geo-tube sea walls, which are made of polypropylene, are proposed to be laid on a 6-km stretch of the shoreline from Ernavoorkuppam to Ennore.

Similarly, such walls would be established for a 500-metre stretch near the shore temple in Mamallapuram and on a 1.2-km stretch in Oyalikuppam near Kalpakkam, an official said. Geo-tubes, filled with sand, would be placed at vulnerable points.

V. Sundar, professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT-M, who will be the project consultant, said the department had earlier helped create geo-tube sea walls along Digha beach in West Bengal to prevent sea erosion and coastal flooding.

Apart from adding to aesthetics, the geo-tube sea walls are also preferred as they are eco-friendly and benefit marine life. But, they need careful designing and construction. Normally, geo textile, which retains sand, is spread beneath the geo-tube sea wall that acts as a barrier and withstands wave action.

As it is relatively a new technology for the city, the government must take measures to protect the structures from being damaged by people, he said. Though it would provide the same protective measure, geo-tube sea wall is easier to install than the groynes.

Officials of WRD said once the consultancy report from IIT-M is received, the project would be sent to the government and work would start in April.