District administration initiates plans to develop Kasaragod coastal tourism circuit

The district administration has initiated plans to develop Kasaragod coastal tourism circuit by linking major tourism destinations within the municipal limits, with District Collector Arjun Pandian directing the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) to prepare and submit a detailed project report (DPR) at the earliest.

The project, jointly planned by the district administration, Kasaragod municipality, and the Tourism department, aims to transform the coastal stretch, including Nellikunnu and Kasaba harbour, into a major tourism hub.

The proposed project includes an adventure tourism facility near the harbour breakwater under the DTPC, with amenities such as lighting, toilets, parking, shops, seating areas, and adventure activities while preserving the natural environment. The Harbour Engineering department announced that the road to the breakwater would be upgraded and fitted with lighting and CCTV cameras, with all works complying with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. The Collector also ordered that the Kasaba tourism amenity centre be strengthened.

Tourism development at Talankara will be jointly undertaken by the Kerala Maritime Board and the municipality. Municipal chairperson Shahina Salim said the Sea View Park and other municipal parks would be upgraded, while work on a major park in front of the lighthouse under the AMRUT Bharat project was nearing completion. Port conservator Mohammed Rafi said the tender process for a public-private partnership-based tourism project at West Talankara was in progress.

The Collector also said he would request the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to extend public visiting hours at the Kasaragod lighthouse from the current 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A beach run flagged off by Kasaragod MLA Kallatra Mahin at the Nellikunnu beach and a mega beach-cleaning drive marked the announcement of the tourism circuit. The Collector inspected the upcoming urban forest project, which will soon be opened under the Social Forestry department.