Development of a string of beaches around Cherai has been proposed as a solution to the congestion in the tourism village which is brimming with resorts.
“The heavy turnout of visitors, especially on holidays, is a real test for the fragile infrastructure here. If more beaches around are provided with road access and other infrastructure, the problem can be addressed to a certain extent,” said Seby Paul, president of Cherai Development Forum.
“A string of beaches like one sees in Goa is what we have in mind. If nearby Rakteswari and Convent beaches are developed like the Cherai main beach, it will help in decongestion of the area.
The issue of development of Cherai will be discussed at a seminar in the tourism village on June 29 which is to be attended by union minister K.V. Thomas,” he said.
The government has 13 acres of land near Convent beach and this could be used to give parking facility and better road access to that beach, he informed.
“At least 12 beaches can be developed along Nayarambalam–Munambam stretch,” he observed.
Apart from this, the Forum also sought exclusive tourism police to man the beaches and state-of-the-art tourism information counters. The forum also sought more breakwaters along the stretch to widen the beaches.
According to K.V. Johnson, president of Chellanam Agri-Tourism Promotion Society, the idea of a string of beaches was a welcome one, but authorities should be vigilant against misuse of the beaches for sex and drugs.