A bicycle track leading all the way to the sea, facilities to do Yoga in the sea breeze, arrangements to chat with the sea from a stone pavilion... These are some of the plans on the anvil at Kovalam.
The idea of the tourism department is to change the face of Kovalam. It is planning a two-stage upgrade of Kovalam beach on an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. Concepts in line with the changing times are to be incorporated at Kovalam beach which is one of the major centres for foreign tourists. The basic amenities are conceived as per the international standards on beach tourism. The first stage was inaugurated by the tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran at a function presided over by M Vincent, the local MLA.
In the first stage, the renovations are being undertaken at Samudra and Grove beach. The upgrading work is planned in 9 regions. A beautiful welcome arch at a cost of Rs 18 lakh is planned. By the paved walkway from this arch till the sea, stone pavilions will be erected. Murals depicting traditional art forms of Kerala will adorn the walls of these stone pavilions. Walkways paved with granite and fringed by railings form parts of this plan. There will be a 'Yoga Deck' costing 16.94 lakh. This could be used for presenting unique Kerala art forms like Kathakali etc. Toilet, bathroom and change room facilities incorporating all the modern concepts are planned at a cost of Rs 47.62 lakh.
For the tourists, 88 seats in the design of country boats will be made. For the bicycle track alone, Rs 28 lakh have been allocated.
Coastal security also part of the plan
Importance has been given to coastal safety and security by way of seawalls and tetrapods. The budget allocation for this is Rs 3.6 crore. Rs 12 lakh have been set aside for kiosks and outposts for police and lifeguards. CCTV cameras will be installed all along the beach. Along with these renovation works, rainwater harvesting facilities also will be built. The barrier-free tourism aimed at friendliness to the differently abled will be incorporated. For installing the audio facilities, Rs 17 lakh have been allocated.
The second stage not too far
Renovation works in the second stage wherein the Hawa beach, Searock beach, the lighthouse beach etc. are involved will be considered without much delay. The renovation plans include two 400 meter long walkways of 13 feet width each connecting the beaches. Rs 1.28 crore has been set aside for this. Seawalls and tetrapods will be erected in the second stage.
Rs 40 lakh for vendor booths and Rs 18 lakh for 120 seats of granite slabs have been allocated. Bridges made of coconut tree trunks will be built to connect the rock gardens. A budget allocation of Rs 50 lakh have been made for garbage management and the green zone.
The aim is to use raw, naturally available resources for building an eco-friendly environment in these renovation works. The design is by the Thiruvananthapuram based Vastushilpalaya Consultancy who specializes in drip irrigation, solar lighting etc. The responsibility for overseeing the renovation is reposed on Uralungal, the oldest of the worker co-operative ventures of the state.
Shankumugham beach
The tourism department is allocating Rs 14.67 crore for the renovation of Shankumugham beach. Parking area with modern facilities, an amphitheatre of 300 square meter area etc will be built at Shankumugham beach.
