Lok Sabha Question No. 5647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Sea Erosion in Coastal Areas
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Robert Bruce C

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5647

ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## SEA EROSION IN COASTAL AREAS

5647. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) the details and status of sea erosion in the coastal parts of Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to combat the said issue, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (c) National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES),has been undertaking periodic, panIndia shoreline mappingonce every 2-3 years using multi-decadal satellite data and field validation. As per  shoreline changes assessment (1990-2022)of NCCR,about 39.23%  of  Tamil  Nadu  coastline  is  under  erosion.  District-wise  erosion  details including Tirunelveliare available at annexure-I.

Ministry of Earth Sciences has informed that as per the request of Tamil Nadu government, NCCR has recently undertaken a study on climate change adaptation through eco-friendly solutions for rehabilitation of coastal habitat  along Tamil Nadu coast. It has also prepared a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for the entire Tamil Nadu  coast  considering  coastal  processes,  geomorphology,  infrastructure,  and socio-economic factors.

These  reports  have  been  submitted  to  the  Department  of  Environment  and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu for appropriate action and integration into coastal zone management and planning frameworks as per requirement.

District-wise details of erosion along Tamil Nadu coast over the period 1990-2022

| District name   | Coastal length (km) *   | Erosion   | Erosion   |
|-----------------|-------------------------|-----------|-----------|
| District name   | Coastal length (km) *   | Km *      | %         |
| Tirunelveli     | 49.7                    | 7.5       | 15.1      |
| Tiruvallur      | 39.66                   | 7.74      | 19.5      |
| Chennai         | 43.94                   | 17.64     | 40.1      |
| Chengalpattu    | 73.58                   | 49.42     | 67.2      |
| Villupuram      | 33.6                    | 18.96     | 56.4      |
| Cuddalore       | 41.32                   | 19.54     | 47.3      |
| Mayiladuthurai  | 48.88                   | 34.7      | 71.0      |
| Nagapattinam    | 81.52                   | 29.88     | 36.7      |
| Thiruvarur      | 22.14                   | 11.92     | 53.8      |
| Thanjavur       | 43.42                   | 14.22     | 32.7      |
| Pudukkottai     | 43.28                   | 15.28     | 35.3      |
| Ramanathapuram  | 279.96                  | 95.42     | 34.1      |
| Thoothukudi     | 121.3                   | 24.06     | 19.8      |
| Kanniyakumari   | 69.18                   | 42.68     | 61.7      |
| Overall         | 991.48                  | 388.96    | 39.2      |

* The length represents the coastal lengths for analysis purpose only

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