Thiruvananthapuram: The renovated Shanghumugham beach area, billed as the second nightlife destination in the city after Manaveeyam Veedhi, is set to open on New Year. As part of the revamp, around 40 vendors, who will be rehabilitated, are being given hands-on training on proper waste disposal by the corporation authorities. According to the city corporation authorities, all the works are nearing completion, including the finishing works related to the installation of streetlights and walkways. Additionally, the construction of the rehabilitation block for the street vendors is also nearing completion.
"The rehabilitation block will have a uniform colour code. A vendor committee meeting will soon be held to decide on the colour. Besides the beautification, the waste treatment system in the area is a major feature. For that, a material collection facility is being readied at the location. However, the other facilities and amenities are nearing completion, and it will be opened to the public by New Year," said corporation secretary S Jahangir.
According to him, the city is introducing waste disposal training to the vendors for the first time. "If the vendors dispose of the waste properly, we will give incentives to them. This will encourage them to keep the place clean all the time. The shops will be kept open even late into the night to promote nightlife," Jahangir added.
The city corporation is implementing the project along with Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), the special purpose vehicle formed for the project. The contractor for the project is Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra.
Meanwhile, the tourism department is planning a comprehensive project for the makeover of Shanghumugham. At present, the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) is in progress. A tourism department official said the comprehensive project included the renovation of the beach on the lines of the Kozhikode beach. "Here, sea erosion is a major issue, so a breakwater will also be constructed there by the harbour engineering department. All these things will be included in the DPR, including the cost estimate. That is expected to be submitted to the state govt by March 2025," the tourism official said.
There is also an immediate plan from the district tourism promotion council to place colour-coded bins in the area.