Coastal promenade in Chellanam–Puthenthode corridor turns a hit

The 7.36-km-long seawall built along the Chellanam–Puthenthode corridor in West Kochi, along with the adjacent sprawling walkway, is emerging as a popular tourist attraction in Ernakulam district.

Built at a cost of approximately ₹344 crore and said to be the longest of its kind in Kerala, there is growing demand to install benches and lights atop the seawall-cum-walkway to attract more visitors to the stretch, which has 16 access points. “The seawall, constructed using granite boulders and tetrapods, along with the 2.5-metre-wide walkway featuring a barricade on the western side and the abundance of fresh air, has in recent times drawn thousands of people from Kochi city and even neighbouring districts,” said V. T. Sebastian, general convener of the Chellanam–Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi, which is at the forefront of the agitation demanding that the seawall be extended up to Fort Kochi to prevent sea incursion along the coast.

The walkway, built at a height of around three metres from the shoreline, was completed in 2024. Visitors include anglers as well as those who enjoy walking safely along the newly built stretch. Their main demand, he added, is for benches and lights to be installed by sponsors or tourism agencies so that people could rest and visit the area even late in the evening.

‘Extend walkway’

The Janakeeya Vedhi and other groups have stepped up their demand to extend the walkway by another 6.5 km up to Fort Kochi, a project the government had assured in 2023, now estimated to cost around ₹306 crore. Once completed, it would create a 14 km-long sea wall-cum-beach walkway.

Responding to the demand for benches and lights, sources in the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) said the agency’s council meeting had discussed the matter. “These can be installed once the local body or other concerned agencies issue a no-objection certificate (NOC). This would help attract more visitors, especially since the scenic walkway is located beside the Alappuzha-Kochi coastal road. Infrastructure for parking would also need to be developed,” they added.

‘Triumph of resilience’

Referring to the seawall as a triumph of resilience, heritage enthusiast Mini Ulanat said she had witnessed Chellanam endure the sea’s fury every monsoon since childhood. “With the seawall in place, it is heartening to see locals and visitors enjoying peaceful walks along the walkway, watching the sunset. The fact that many other coastal areas are still battling the tides is a reminder that coastal protection measures must reach such vulnerable stretches too,” she said.

“With thoughtful planning, better amenities, ecotourism initiatives, and cultural interpretation, this can evolve into a model of how communities can live in harmony with the sea while preserving our heritage,” she added.

The demand for more coastal walkways in the Greater Kochi area is increasing, especially since much of the Fort Kochi beach, once a major tourist draw, has been lost to sea incursion. The adjacent walkway has also suffered damage and developed cracks in several places due to poor maintenance by Kerala Tourism.

‘Immense potential’

A Kerala Tourism official said that the Chellanam–Puthenthode coastal walkway had immense potential to attract visitors who once frequented Fort Kochi, provided adequate infrastructure was developed. He added that they hoped the government would allocate sufficient funds for other walkways, including the one along Fort Kochi beach.