A major picnic spot for people in and around this town, the Payyambalam beach and the garden are set for a facelift, with the Tourism Department according sanction to two projects for renovating the garden and setting up facilities for adventure activities.
The two projects, estimated to cost ₹2 crore coupled with the ongoing work of constructing a one-km walkway on the seawall along the beach, are expected to draw more picnickers and tourists to the beach.
With the installation of lighting along a stretch of the beach, the number of visitors who now spend time on the beach till late in the evening has increased.
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Beach garden
One project sanctioned by the Tourism Department is a project proposal submitted by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) for the renovation of beach garden which is now in a dilapidated state. The garden used to be a major attraction for children.
The works included laying of pathways, installation of lighting and play equipment, renovation of toilets and cafeteria and replacement of the existing ‘Mother and Child’ landscape sculpture done by artist Kanayi Kunhiraman with a new sculpture.
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The second one is a ₹1-crore project to install facilities for adventure activities such as rope cycling and valley crossing along the route from the garden to the beach.
Final stage
“Both the projects are being executed by the DTPC and the works will start soon,” said Jitheesh Jose, DTPC secretary. He said the ongoing one-km walkway work along the beach is in its final stage and is expected to be completed in a month.
The ₹3.5-crore walkway work included construction of rain shelters and installation of lightings. Recently started facilities on the beach include the beach gym and bamboo café.