Mumbai's Marine Drive: Wondered What Are Those ‘Weird Starfish-Like' Structures? Here's The Science
You may have noticed the unusual star-shaped concrete blocks along the edge of the sea at Mumbai's Marine Drive. While they might appear to be random pieces of art, these structures actually play a crucial role in protecting the coastline from the strong waves of the Arabian Sea.
These blocks are called tetrapods. Standing guard along Marine Drive for years, there are over 6,000 tetrapods spread along the shoreline, according to The Indian Express. They protect the promenade and nearby buildings from erosion and wave damage.
So, What Exactly Are Tetrapods And How Do They Work?
Tetrapods are heavy concrete blocks with four legs sticking out. First used in France in the late 1940s, they are arranged in an interlocking but porous pattern to slow down waves and disperse their force, which reduces the damage caused by strong tides. As per The Indian Express, each tetrapod can weigh around two tonnes, sometimes up to 10 tonnes.
The unique design allows water to flow around them rather than hit a solid wall, which reduces the wave's impact on the shore. Their interlocking placement also helps them stay stable during storms. Marine Drive's tetrapods were first installed in the late 1990s to protect the reclaimed land along South Mumbai.
In January, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had approved a proposal to replace the old tetrapods along Marine Drive. According to a Mid-day report, the existing ones were installed between 1960 and 1965 and partially replaced between 1982 and 2002. They were made using M20-grade cement and had a lifespan of about 40 years. That lifespan has now ended. Over the years, some tetrapods were damaged by Cyclone Nisarga, and others had to be removed during the Coastal Road project.
'It's not feasible to shift the old tetrapods back into position. Since their lifespan is over, we have decided to replace them," a civic official told Mid-day. Made with high-grade M40 cement, these new tetrapods are designed to last 100 years. The BMC had reportedly allocated Rs 43.61 crore for the project.
'The new tetrapods will offer enhanced protection due to the use of stronger materials," the official added
How Tetrapod Removal Affected Marine Drive Residents
In 2022, during the Coastal Road construction, authorities removed a three-kilometre stretch of tetrapods along Marine Drive. This left parts of the iconic promenade more exposed to the waves of the Arabian Sea.
Residents of two sea-facing buildings on Marine Drive started noticing unusual vibrations inside their homes. They connected these tremors to the stronger wave activity hitting the unprotected coastline.
They told the BMC in a letter: 'I would like to bring to your urgent notice that for the last few days, many residents of Shreeniketan and Gobind Mahal buildings (sea-facing buildings between G&F Road on Marine Drive) have been feeling vibrations. The vibrations come for 1 second and in intervals for a period of ~30-60 minutes in the afternoons. These vibrations feel like tremors akin to an earthquake. Many of us searched if there was an earthquake in Mumbai. Now imagine earthquake-like tremors 20-30 times an hour."
Although the BMC did not directly state that the removal of the tetrapods caused these vibrations, they agreed to take action. As reported by The Indian Express, the civic body temporarily reinstalled tetrapods in these vulnerable sections to help absorb the wave energy and ease the problem.
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August 12, 2025, 15:26 IST
News viral Mumbai's Marine Drive: Wondered What Are Those 'Weird Starfish-Like' Structures? Here's The Science
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