In news– Recently, removal of tetrapods along the Mumbai coast led to unusual vibrations during high tide.
What are tetrapods?
- Tetra pod in Greek means four-legged. These are four-legged concrete structures that are placed along coastlines to prevent erosion and water damage.
- Tetrapods were first used in France in the late 1940s to protect the shore from the sea.
- They are typically placed together to form an interlocking but porous barrier that dissipates the power of waves and currents.
- These are large structures, sometimes weighing up to 10 tonnes, and interlocked tetra pods act as a barrier that remains stable against the rocks when buffeted by waves.
- Tetrapods, each weighing about 2 tonnes, were placed along Marine Drive in the late 1990s to break and dissipate waves and maintain the reclaimed shoreline in South Mumbai.
- They were temporarily removed to help carry out reclamation for the ongoing Coastal Road Project — 10.58 km of coastal road from Princess Street in Marine Drive to the Worli end of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Source: The Indian Express
