Coastal promenade in Chellanam–Puthenthode hall turns successful

The 7.36-km-long seawall constructed alongside the Chellanam–Puthenthode hall in West Kochi, together with the adjoining sprawling walkway, is rising as a well-liked vacationer attraction in Ernakulam district.

Constructed at a value of roughly ₹344 crore and stated to be the longest of its variety in Kerala, there may be rising demand to put in benches and lights atop the seawall-cum-walkway to draw extra guests to the stretch, which has 16 entry factors. “The seawall, constructed utilizing granite boulders and tetrapods, together with the two.5-metre-wide walkway that includes a barricade on the western facet and the abundance of recent air, has in current instances drawn hundreds of individuals from Kochi metropolis and even neighboring districts,” stated VT Sebastian, normal convener of the Chellanam–Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi, which is on the forefront of the agitation demanding that the seawall be prolonged as much as Fort Kochi to stop sea incursion alongside the coast.

The walkway, constructed at a top of round three meters from the shoreline, was accomplished in 2024. Guests embody anglers in addition to those that take pleasure in strolling safely alongside the newly constructed stretch. Their essential demand, he added, is for benches and lights to be put in by sponsors or tourism businesses so that individuals might relaxation and go to the world even late within the night.

‘Lengthen walkway’

The Janakeeya Vedhi and different teams have stepped up their demand to increase the walkway by one other 6.5 km as much as Fort Kochi, a challenge the federal government had assured in 2023, now estimated to price round ₹306 crore. As soon as accomplished, it might create a 14 km-long sea wall-cum-beach walkway.

Responding to the demand for benches and lights, sources within the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) stated the company’s council assembly had mentioned the matter. “These will be put in as soon as the native physique or different involved businesses concern a no-objection certificates (NOC). This could assist appeal to extra guests, particularly because the scenic walkway is situated beside the Alappuzha-Kochi coastal highway. Infrastructure for parking would additionally must be developed,” they added.

‘Triumph of resilience’

Referring to the seawall as a triumph of resilience, heritage fanatic Mini Ulanat stated she had witnessed Chellanam endure the ocean’s fury each monsoon since childhood. “With the seawall in place, it’s heartening to see locals and guests having fun with peaceable walks alongside the walkway, watching the sundown. The truth that many different coastal areas are nonetheless battling the tides is a reminder that coastal safety measures should attain such weak stretches too,” she stated.

“With considerate planning, higher facilities, ecotourism initiatives, and cultural interpretation, this could evolve right into a mannequin of how communities can stay in concord with the ocean whereas preserving our heritage,” she added.

The demand for extra coastal walkways within the Higher Kochi space is growing, particularly since a lot of the Fort Kochi seashore, as soon as a significant vacationer draw, has been misplaced to sea incursion. The adjoining walkway has additionally suffered injury and developed cracks in a number of locations attributable to poor upkeep by Kerala Tourism.

‘Immense potential’

A Kerala Tourism official stated that the Chellanam–Puthenthode coastal walkway had immense potential to draw guests who as soon as frequented Fort Kochi, supplied ample infrastructure was developed. He added that they hoped the federal government would allocate adequate funds for different walkways, together with the one alongside Fort Kochi seashore.