The new beach here is clinkering with activity. A five-feet wide joggers path laden with interlocking paver blocks traversing a length of 330 meters; an 80-meter diameter circular pathway with an inner circle and outer circle; all of it rimmed with stainless steel railings stand testimony to the beach beautification project currently under progress at Nagapattinam.
However, the project initially conceived at Rs.2.4 crores has been pruned due to lack of public funding. Currently, works are under progress at a cumulative cost of Rs.1.6 crores.
The Tamil Nadu tourism department had funded Rs.1.2 crore for the project. Under the Namakkunamae Scheme, about 40 lakhs was initially envisaged as public contribution to be supplemented by a 200 percent contribution by the government to the tune of Rs.80 lakhs. However, with just about Rs.13 lakhs mobilised as public contribution from commercial establishments, banks and individuals, contribution from the government was reduced to Rs.26 lakhs.
While the wider structure of the project remains intact, the originally conceived watch tower, kiosks, and certain other ancillary facilities have been shelved for shortage of funds.
Nonetheless, works are heading at a faster pace. A viewer deck, granite-dressed seaters, and over 40 electric posts with sodium vapour lamps are envisaged. Additional works entail widening of black tar roads, a parking facility to accommodate over 40 cars, a park with a fountain, circular pathways punctuated with crotons, and a playground.
According to A.Hilal Ahamad, Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD, as of date, 50 percent of works have been completed, with the project slated for completion by March end this year.
