Call for plan to renovate beach

Thiruvananthapuram: The local residents demanded sustainable plans that encourage sand accretion while renovating Shangumugham beach which was left in ruins by high waves.

The unusually long high wave season triggered by cyclone Ockhi in December 2017 had continued to gradually shave off the beach until this month. Half of the double lane road here was washed off by June changing the face of landmark beach. The walkway installed by DTPC was also among battered.

With this, the Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran had sworn to rebuild road and infrastructure. As on Tuesday, the sea has withdrawn gradually boosting sand accretion here.

 "We need to think of something like an elevated road on pillars. This will ensure that the sea can come inside the land during high waves. After the monsoon season accretion will ensure that sandy waves are reinstated and people can go down to the beach. We need to allow water to come and return than making structures to stop it," said a renowned social activist who hails from the area.

The Shangumugham- Vettucaud stretch of beach was the only portion in the city where tradition fishing net could be launched from land. The coast between Beemapally and Valiyathura was lost due to the granite sea wall that was installed in the past decade.

"The livelihood of fishermen needs to be protected. For that, the sandy beaches need to survive. Any project that goes against this interest will face protest," the activist added.

The onus of rebuilding the Shangumugham road was expected to be entrusted to Kerala Road Fund Board after the high wave season. Most of the beach was barricaded to prevent public entry and motor accidents.