Months after Shanghumughom Beach was closed for extensive restoration and coastal protection works, hopes are rising that the project will revive one of the city’s most iconic waterfront destinations. 

However, with the beach remaining out of bounds, residents and small-scale vendors say the prolonged closure continues to take a toll on livelihoods and tourism.

The ongoing restoration combines a ₹14-crore beach rejuvenation project with a ₹25-crore coastal protection initiative to tackle severe sea erosion that has battered the shoreline in recent years. Once a favourite evening destination for families and tourists, Shanghumughom has remained largely inaccessible since work began earlier this year.

According to Sheikh Pareed, managing director of the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC), the coastal protection project has been designed to safeguard the entire Shanghumughom shoreline while preserving the natural dynamics of the marine environment. 

Based on recommendations from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the intervention aims to reduce wave energy using scientifically designed offshore structures. Unlike conventional hard-engineering methods, the project adopts an environmentally friendly approach intended to address coastal erosion without adversely affecting the beach, marine ecology or the sea’s natural movement.

The long-term objective, he said, is to restore shoreline stability and enable the sustainable use of one of the capital city’s most prominent public spaces.

Shanghumughom ward councillor Seraphine Fredy described the project as a necessary intervention for the area. She said the initiative, being implemented jointly by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) and the Irrigation Department, was crucial for protecting the coastline and ensuring the safety of residents. She expressed hope that the project would also help revive economic activity around the beach, where several small vendors depend on visitors for their livelihood.

While officials remain optimistic about the project’s long-term benefits, local businesses continue to struggle. Vendors operating near the beach say the movement of construction materials has generated heavy dust, discouraging visitors from spending time in the area. With tourist footfall dropping sharply, many say daily earnings have dwindled and sustaining their businesses has become increasingly difficult.

For many residents, the project’s success is tied not only to protecting the coastline from further erosion but also to restoring Shanghumughom’s identity as one of Thiruvananthapuram’s most cherished public spaces. Until then, the beach remains a work in progress, balancing the promise of long-term resilience against the immediate hardships faced by the community that depends on it.

(Malavika Devi J.R. is an intern with The Hindu, Thiruvananthapuram)