MAPUSA: Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Friday inspected the damaged rubber wall at Coco Beach and directed the Nerul Panchayat to write a letter to the Water Resource Department asking for anti-sea erosion measures.

After conducting an inspection in the presence of locals, ZP member and panchas, Lobo said, “Anti-sea erosion measures are required at the Coco Beach for a stretch of almost one kilometre which will be taken up by the WRD, who will send the proposal to Delhi. I have asked the panchayat as well as locals to write a letter to the WRD Minister and Chief Engineer, after which the WRD will examine the matter, estimate and will book a proposal to the funding from Centre, since this project cannot be taken up from State funding,” Lobo said.

“There was a time when there were shacks at the Coco Beach and people were able to walk on the beach but due to global warming and rise in sea level around 40 to 50 metres of the beach has washed out and now the water has come close to the houses located at the beach side,” Lobo added.

It may be recalled that Herald had highlighted the issue of soil erosion and damaged rubber wall after Cyclone Tauktae hit the State last month.