Kerala is set to utilise the tourism potential of its 580-km coastline dotted by some of the finest seaside getaways that includes Asia’s longest drive-in beach in Muzhappilangad.

Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas said the state needed to realise the potential of beach tourism sufficiently. The government intends to move forward by linking tourist places along its vast seacoast spread across nine of its 14 districts.

Inaugurating the first floating bridge in the district at Papanasam Beach here, the seventh in the state, the minister said they will add to the tourist attractions in these coastal districts.

“There is a huge potential for beach tourism in Kerala, and it will be utilised effectively,” he said. “Kerala’s coastline is ideal for water sports. But there are a few projects now. If effectively utilised, it will immensely contribute to the state’s revenues.”

He said many investors had come forward at the first Tourism Investors’ Meet held in the state capital last month, expressing their interest in investing in beach tourism.

Including these proposals, the minister said, the government intends to implement more beach tourism projects in public-private partnerships. A master plan has been formulated to comprehensively develop Varkala as a major entertainment and pilgrimage centre in the state to be implemented in 2024.

“New projects like the floating bridge in Varkala, which currently has many water sports activities, will attract more tourists here,” Shri Riyas said.

Shri V Joy, MLA, who presided over the function, said many projects, like the floating bridge, are being implemented to develop infrastructure at Varkala Beach.

He said the floating bridge, along with other existing and upcoming facilities, will strengthen the development of Varkala Beach.

The floating bridge has been set up by the Department of Tourism in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society and the Municipality of Varkala.

Varkala Municipality Chairman Shri KM Laji; Vice Chairperson Smt Kumari Sudarshini; Councilor and Education Standing Committee Chairman Shri C Ajayakumar; Health Standing Committee Chairman Shri V Nithin Nair, DTPC Secretary Shri Shyam Krishnan and others attended the event.

The bridge has a 100-meter length and a three-meter width with pillars on both sides. At the bridge’s end is a platform of 11 meters long and seven meters wide, enabling visitors to enjoy the scenery far off the sea.

Constructed with 1,400 high-density floating polyethylene blocks, the bridge, held by 700 kg anchors, is equipped with all protective measures, including safety boats, life jackets and lifeguards.

Around 100 visitors can enter the floating bridge at a time and move along the sea’s waves. The entry will be from 11 am to 5 pm