Parliament Question: Coastal Erosion at Sriharikota

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2926 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 5TH AUGUST, 2026 COASTAL EROSION AT SRIHARIKOTA

2926. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the extent of coastal erosion affecting the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether recommendations for shoreline protection measures including construction of groynes have received approvals from the concerned authorities; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) Yes. Ministry of Earth Sciences, through the National Centre for Coastal Research

(NCCR), has assessed the extent of coastal erosion affecting the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR), Dept. of Space, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. NCCR carried out detailed shoreline change analysis using multi-temporal satellite imagery, supported by field investigations and numerical modelling studies. The studies indicate that the northern part of SHAR Island has been experiencing coastal erosion over the last two decades and has lost about 0.68 sq. km of beach area during the period 1965–2018. Based on the scientific investigations, NCCR recommended suitable shoreline protection measures comprising longitudinal and transitional groynes and prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for SDSC SHAR.

(b) & (c) Yes. SDSC SHAR, Dept. of Space has obtained the necessary statutory approvals and clearances from the concerned authorities, such as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, for the construction.

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