The Trasi beach, part of the famed Trasi–Maravanthe beachfront along the Kanniyakumari–Panvel National Highway 66 in Kundapura taluk of Udupi district, is undergoing a major transformation to offer a range of facilities for tourists.

Being executed at an estimated cost of ₹9.85 crore by the Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL), an arm of the Department of Tourism, the project is nearing completion. Trasi beach is a nesting site of Olive Ridley turtles and is also known as Turtle Bay Beach.

Properties on both sides

The Tourism Department owns properties on both sides of the highway. It is developing about 84 cents of land on the landward side, where a travellers’ bungalow once stood, into a sea-view kitchen-cum-restaurant. A few staff quarters will also be constructed at the site, according to officials.

Beach-side development

On the beach-side, the Department has about 5.5 acres of land which was being developed into a comprehensive relaxation hub. KTIL has expanded a parking facility to accommodate about 70 cars, about 60 two wheelers and about 3 to 5 buses. Instead of the earlier single gate for entry and exit, it has provided separate gates for entry and exit.

The beachside facilities include an amphitheatre, sculptures of a turtle, a Yakshagana artist, Kambala race, a walking path, gazebos, selfie points and such other attractions. Rest rooms and bathrooms for men and women have been repaired. An artwork of a boat with a fishing net, representing the coastal fishing culture, would come up at the entrance, which would also house the ticketing counter, said an official.

Another major attraction would be a 400 m long bicycle track running along the beach from Trasi till the mid-point of the beachfront. The 2-metre-wide concrete cycle track could also be used to walk along the beach.

Around 10 stalls would come up at the beach-side to sell food and beverages. A food-court with umbrella shades was also proposed near the beach, the official added.