Tourism minister launches Phase I of Vypeen beach corridor project

Kochi: Ernakulam's coastline is undergoing a dramatic transformation as the ambitious Vypeen Beach Corridor project officially moves from blueprint to reality.Tourism minister Mohamed Riyas on Wednesday launched the first phase of the project, focussing on the upgradation of three iconic beach destinations — Cherai, Munambam, and Kuzhuppilly — along the district's west coast at a cost of Rs 2.98 crore These beaches were selected to anchor the corridor, providing a diverse mix of adventure, relaxation and family-friendly infrastructure.
"The nine beaches along Vypeen coast offers a huge potential for further development of tourism activities, in which the district is leading. The aim of developing Kuzhuppilly-Cherai-Munambam corridor is to offer an unforgettable experience to tourists by offering quality amenities and services," said Riyas during the event held at Cherai Beach."While we initially identified nine beaches, the first phase covering the three beaches is being implemented now. Through the project, we aim to transform the entire Vypeen coast stretch into a vibrant tourist hub. The plan focuses on upgrading infrastructure and creating visitor-friendly facilities to appeal to both domestic and international tourists," said Lijo Joseph, secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).Issues like coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearance have long delayed the project. "Now we're starting with the three beaches. A focus is being given for ‘low-impact' construction, avoiding heavy concrete structures in favour of prefab and eco-friendly materials to comply with CRZ norms," he added.Though the Vypeen tourism corridor concept was first approved in 2017, it faced hurdles ranging from environmental clearances to logistical delays. Initially, govt allocated Rs 4 crore to develop the beach corridor as part of the project, covering big and small beaches from Vypeen to Cherai along the 26-km long coastline.Now, with administrative sanction for Rs 2.98 crore, the project is moving ahead. Beyond physical infrastructure like interlocking tiles, snack bars and renovated restrooms, DTPC is introducing lifestyle activities such as horse riding across all three beaches following a successful trial in Cherai.Kerala tourism department aims to transform the "modest" local visitor numbers into a steady stream of international and domestic traffic by developing the coastal beaches, Joseph said.