Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cabinet has granted its approval to a special project costing Rs 93 crore for improving the beaches in Kovalam and adjacent areas and to ensure protection of the coastal area.
Kovalam, with its three crescent-shaped beaches, is a favourite of the people for its shallow water and tidal waves. The revamp will be implemented in two phases with an eye on attracting more tourists.
Development of basic facilities at Hawa and Lighthouse beaches, renovation of the Silent Valley Sunbath Park, development of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation land, improvement of travel facilities to the Corporation land, upgradation of transportation to the IB Beach, fixing the boundary of the IB and and Adimalathura beaches, and takeover of the coconut grove will take place in the first phase.
In the second phase, further development of the IB and Adimalathura beaches and land development of the coconut grove will be implemented.
The Water and Power Consultancy Services Limited (WAPCOS) has been designated as the special purpose vehicle to implement the project costing Rs 93 crore submitted by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Earlier it was reported that if remedial measures were not taken urgently, thse beaches could be washed away by swelling waves. A latest study has found that the sea has taken away approximately 2.62 square kilometres or nearly 650 acres from the Thiruvananthapuram coast alone in 14 years (from 2006 to 2020).