THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after spending crores of rupees periodically on redevelopment, facilities on Shangumugham beach have only worsened. From demolishing of the old starfish restaurant to the construction of new park every decision seemed to create only newer problems and load on the public exchequer. Elderly morning walkers testify that every Monday morning, the sand in the beach turns itchy due to the amount of garbage dumped here the previous evening.
“After the demise of the coffee house, Shangumugham presently has around 40 mobile eateries including ice cream stalls. Though each one of them flaunts waste bin, the waste collected by them subsequently ends up on the beach and stays here,” said Sivarajan R., a morning walker. The Chakratheertha pond near mandapams here is a water body where all the waste plates of eateries end up.
In spite of cleaning by NGOs, the water quality and coliform levels remain alarming. The urinal facilities are poorly maintained and too inadequate to cater to the massive number of visitors to the beach. “The temporary urinals here are not fit for heavy duty use and hence develop snags. The present laying of tiles will not improve amenities for visitors. We will need something like a Sulabh facility here,” said Jacob Fernandez, who organises clean-up drive.
“Each time, we get at least 50 kg of plastic plates alone from here. Corporation is left with no option but to burn waste here every week,” he said. Meanwhile, tourism officials who maintained a defensive stand blamed it on local conditions and anti-social elements. “The difference between Shangumugham and other beaches is that it is more crowded, and hence problems are noticed more. The street lights get damaged quickly, and toilets and landscaping get destroyed by locals," said senior tourism officials.
