THOOTHUKUDI: The Manappad beach in Thoothukudi district is to get a facelift under the Centrally sponsored 'Swadeshi Darshan scheme'.Works are to commence soon at Manappad beach in Thoothukudi districtat the cost of '6 crore, as the Modi regime had already sanctioned '100 crore under ‘Swadeshi Darshan’ scheme. According to Mr. Sreenivasan, tourismofficer, priority under the ‘Swadeshi Darshan’ scheme would be accorded on maintaining the beach clean and free from encroachments. However the beautification of the beach would not be neglected in the development projects,” added the tourism officer. The projects proposed for the development of Manappad beach also include landscaping by manipulating the shore area to enhance its aesthetic attraction, he said.
Further sign boards, CCTV cameras, car parking and toilet facilities are to be created under the Swadeshi darshan scheme. “To ensure the safety of the tourists at the Manappad beach, a search and rescue boat too would be stationed permanently under the Central scheme,” added the district tourism officer, who too said that the renovation plans would be implemented in strict adherence to the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms and hence the fisher community need not worry that the developmental projects to be taken up would disturb the sea environment.
It is to be noted that the Manappad beach already has facilities to organise water sports events like sea surfing, kite boarding, kayaking, wind surfing and stand up paddle events. Such events have been organised there for the past three years in the month of February. The Manakudi beach ravaged by the
Asian Tsunami 13 years ago in Kanniyakumari district, Rameswaram beach, Mamallapuram beach and the famous Elliots beach in Chennai too are to be developed under the centrally sponsored ‘Swadeshi Dharshan’ scheme in the state.
