Paradip, Sept. 14: Scientific study by experts has found loopholes in the installation process of geo-synthetic tubes in Pentha coast off Kendrapara district.

Construction of Odisha's first geo-tube seawall project was suspended in July following allegations of lopsided installation. The synthetic tubes got ruptured during installation, prompting the authorities to put brake on the project.

The samples of geo-tubes had been sent to Bombay Textiles Research Association laboratory and the civil engineering material testing laboratory of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai. Besides, authorities had sought for technical assistance of the IIT for hassle-free implementation of the project, which is meant to protect vulnerable human settlements in Kendrapara district from the marauding sea.

"The sample testing reports have detected fault in the pumping process of slurry mixtures for the tube-rupture. However, no manufacturing defect of the synthetic tubes has been found," said an official.

The experts are of the view that the thrusting of sand into the improvised tube was not done in accordance with the prescribed ratio. As a result, one of the tubes that were installed at the project site burst, said the official of the saline embankment division quoting various expert findings.

"Forty geo-synthetic tubes made up of polypropylene have already been installed at the seawall site. As one of tubes ruptured during the course of installation, it led to work suspension. But, work would resume soon. We are waiting for directions from the higher-ups in this regard," said Jugal Kishore Tripathy, an executive engineer at the saline embankment division.

Geo-synthetic tubes are being spread across the seawall, which would run a length of 505metre. The tubes are being spread in four-layer form. The height of the coastal embankment would be of 7.4metre. Earlier, the project was to cover 700metre length of the shoreline. However, the seawall length was brought down as natural sand dunes and sand bars have been formed providing a natural barrier to the mighty sea waves.

A high-power committee of engineers, headed by engineer-in-chief of the water resources department had earlier inspected the construction site. The committee members directed the immediate suspension of construction.

Sand and water at the ratio of 80:20 were being pumped into the polypropylene tubes in slurry form. The report has sought for 90:10 (sand and water) ratio during installation of the tubes on the erosion-hit embankment.

The Rs 31.4 crore seawall project was scheduled for completion by July. Now, the deadline for its completion has been rescheduled to January, said another official.