As the tourist season kicks off at Kerala's iconic Kovalam Beach, visitors are greeted by a familiar sight: the absence of the long-promised major facelift. The comprehensive redevelopment project, valued at a staggering Rs 93 crore, remains stuck in limbo, forcing authorities to pursue a modest, temporary refurbishment plan to address urgent needs.
A Temporary Fix for Pressing Problems
With the grand vision stalled, the focus has shifted to a stopgap measure. The executing agency, WAPCOS Ltd, is scheduled to open the tender for a temporary refurbishment project on Wednesday. This interim plan, budgeted at Rs 7.75 crore, aims to provide quick improvements to basic amenities that are crucial for the tourist experience.
The proposed work under this smaller project includes upgrades to public toilets, street lighting, repair of walkways, and other essential civil works. A senior official from the tourism department, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized the beach's importance, stating, "Kovalam remains one of our flagship destinations. Once the tender opens and acceptable bids are received, we intend to proceed immediately." If qualified bidders come forward, this work could commence as early as January.
The Stalled Mega Project: A Dream Deferred
However, this Rs 7.75 crore intervention is merely a band-aid solution. The real transformation was envisioned under the Rs 93 crore Kovalam Beach development project, which received approval from the state cabinet back in 2023. This ambitious plan has hit repeated roadblocks, primarily due to failed tender processes.
The larger blueprint promises a sweeping redevelopment of Kovalam and its adjacent beaches. It encompasses extensive infrastructure upgrades, coastal protection measures, the construction of seawalls and diaphragm-walls, renovation of beach parks, improved connectivity between the different beach areas, and a significant enhancement of overall tourist amenities.
The Iconic Glass Bridge and Tender Troubles
One of the most headline-grabbing proposals within the mega project is a first-of-its-kind ocean-spanning cable-stayed glass bridge. This structure is designed to link the iconic Light House Beach with the IB Beach, aiming to boost convenience for visitors while creating a unique tourist attraction in itself.
The project's troubles began when it was initially tendered in late 2022. The bids received failed to meet the qualification criteria, with a specific clause proving to be a major hurdle: the requirement for bidders to commit to a 15-year maintenance contract. This led the department to cancel the process and decide on a re-tender, a step that has yet to yield a successful outcome, leaving the grand vision in a state of indefinite suspension.
For now, the hopes of a transformed Kovalam rest on the success of the upcoming tender for the temporary works. The tourism department and local stakeholders are anxiously waiting to see if this smaller step can finally get off the ground, offering some respite while the battle to unlock the Rs 93 crore dream continues.
