Raging Konkan Sea tamed by Malayali Wall; breakwater allowing smooth sailing for ships to be commissioned in March

KOCHI: Massive wall made by Malayalis to contain the raging Konkan Sea and pave the way for ships. The 2.3-km-long 'breakwater' will be commissioned in March.

Tony Mathew, a native of Kothamangalam, and Tijo Mathew, a native of Changanassery, took the helm. Both studied at Mar Athanasius Engineering College, Kothamangalam. Ships could not approach the Dabhol LNG terminal in Maharashtra for five months of the year due to rough seas. The 'breakwater' was built 2.75 km from the coast as a solution to this.

Tony Mathew took the helm as the Chief Executive Officer cum Chief General Manager of Konkan LNG Limited (KLL). Tijo Mathew took the task as the head of the marine division of L&T Heavy Civil Infrastructure Limited, which undertook the construction. The Kochi-Mangalore LNG pipeline was also laid under Tony's leadership.

Metroman E Sreedharan and Malayali contractors including SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan were behind the completion of the difficult Konkan Railway in 1997.

The LNG terminal was commissioned in 2013. The American company Enviro, which had taken the breakwater contract, withdrew when it reached 500 meters. L&T completed the 1.8 km construction undertaken in 2020.

The foundation was laid by placing stones in the sea. Large stones were placed on top of it to create a wall. Prefabricated concrete acropods weighing 22 tons each were fixed around the wall. It was done using French technology.

Breakwater

(in meters)

Bottom width............. 100

Top width................................ 7.35

Sea depth................................ 18

Above water level............. 7.35

L&T contract amount....608 crores

"With the completion of the breakwater, ships will be able to enter the terminal throughout the year. The terminal's capacity will also be fully utilized."

Tony Mathew

CEO, CGM

Konkan LNG Limited