The public outcry over the lack of facilities and security arrangements on the Butt Road beach has finally evoked a positive response from the district administration, which has directed the Harbour Engineering Department to expedite the pending electrification work and wind up the first-phase renovation activities within a month.
On completion of the remaining work, the beach area would be handed over to the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) for its flawless running and the council is expected to post the required number of security guards to protect the area from anti-social elements and miscreants.
Cafeteria
The buildings constructed for the cafeteria and other facilities for sightseers too will become operational under the DTPC.
Officers of the Harbour Engineering Department said the government had allocated Rs.3 crore for beautification work in the area with a superior engineering plan.
A major portion of that fund was utilised to complete the civil work as per the design of an expert engineer.
Of the total amount sanctioned, Rs.28.58 lakh was specially set aside for the completion of electrification work and to put up high-mast lights in select areas.
As per the current plan, three high-mast lights would come up in the Butt Road area.
Tender delay
Officers in charge of the project said it was the delay in clearing a tender excess that played the spoilsport in the completion of the renovation work that began in 2010.
“Now, all technicalities have been cleared and the work can be completed in a time-bound manner,” they claimed.
Many a time, the long interval between the works had been dampening the spirit of regular beachgoers in the area.
In the absence of security guards, most of the facilities were thrown to the mercy of vandals.
Since there was no proper lighting, the residents and other beachgoers were also finding it hard to visit the location during late evenings.
Special attention
Officials of Tourism Department said the area would get special attention as the Collector himself had reviewed the project process and issued necessary directions to the engineers concerned.
Also, the vacant post of the District Tourism Promotion Council secretary would be filled shortly to review the progress of all tourism-related projects in the district, they added.
