The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is doing a pilot study for installation and monitoring of artificial reefs along the seawall of the area reclaimed for the Coastal Road project. The objective of this project is to measure biological recruitment and enhancement of biodiversity. It will also compare the efficacy of different artificial reef designs. This comes amid concerns that the Coastal Road project will have a negative impact on marine biodiversity. 

An official from Mangrove Cell said, “NIO will probably start the work by December. The institute has been busy with tendering and related logistical arrangements. The Mangrove Foundation has sanctioned this project to NIO for a total cost of Rs 88 lakh. Of this, Rs 52 lakh has already been released.”