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MANGALURU: Loan negotiations with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the second phase of sea erosion prevention work in coastal districts of the state will commence in October this year, said minister for ports and textiles Baburao Chinchansur.

 The minister told reporters here on Saturday that 11 spots on seashore of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts, which are prone to sea erosion, have been identified under tranche II of Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme (SCPMP) funded by the ADB. "The government has planned to take up sea erosion prevention work in the state’s coast under the programme at an estimated cost of Rs 911 crore. The tranche I of the programme is being implemented in Ullal at an estimated cost of Rs 223.32 crore. The project, which was slated to be completed by 2015, has been extended up to December 2016," he said

 "The tranche II sea erosion prevention work will be taken up in 32 km of seashore stretch at Someshwar, Yermal Thenka, Udyavar, Kodi Bengre, Kodi Kanyana, Gangolli, Maravanthe, Madikal, Shiroor, Murudeshwar and Pavinakurve in the state.

 Feasibility reports prepared for five spots under tranche II through the project management design consultants have been submitted to the Central Water and Power Research Station. Meanwhile, feasibility reports for the remaining six spots will be prepared by the consultants soon," the minister said, adding that the loan negotiations with ADB may commence by October.

 On the progress of tranche I work in Ullal, Chinchansur said the work of four inshore berms has been started.

 "Under the programme, four inshore berms will be constructed through M/s RDS Projects Limited, Kochi at an estimated cost of Rs 25.51 crore. A total of Rs 16.12 crore has already been spent and work of two berms will be completed before the monsoon. M/s Dharthi Dredging and Infrastructure Limited, Hyderabad, has been given the contract of constructing two offshore reefs at an estimated cost of Rs 110 crore.

 The work has commenced and Rs 28.52 crore has already been spent. The work of two breakwaters to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 40.91 crore under the programme has been given to M/s RB Chawan - Arjun Earth Movers, Mumbai.

 A total of 4.09 crore has been spent for the work so far," the minister said adding that the dredging work on tranche I region will be taken up after the completion of the programme at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore.