Thiruvananthapuram: The long-awaited Rs 93 crore Kovalam Beach development project, envisioned to revamp one of Kerala’s most iconic coastal destinations, continues to face delays as repeated tendering setbacks stall progress, raising concerns among tourism stakeholders and local businesses.
Approved by the Kerala state cabinet in 2023, the ambitious master plan aims to comprehensively upgrade infrastructure across Lighthouse, Hawa and IB beaches — including enhanced walkways, modern amenities, coastal protection works and improved visitor facilities — to restore Kovalam’s global appeal. However, implementation on the ground has yet to begin.
The central public sector agency WAPCOS Ltd, appointed as the special purpose vehicle (SPV) to execute the project on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis, has struggled to attract qualified bidders. Recent tender attempts, including a scaled-down Rs 7.75 crore temporary refurbishment package floated in December 2025, failed to draw eligible responses, forcing authorities to cancel the exercise and prepare for a fresh round of bidding scheduled for February 3, 2026. Officials hope this next tender will succeed and allow at least minor works — such as repairing the 700-metre beach walkway, renovating public toilets and strengthening the police aid post — to begin by March 2026 ahead of the upcoming tourism season.
Experts say stringent qualification criteria, especially long-term maintenance commitments, have deterred private firms from participating, leaving the larger development project in limbo. With the peak season approaching and competition from other coastal destinations growing, some local operators have independently introduced dining and entertainment offerings to keep visitor interest alive in the absence of major infrastructural improvements.
For now, Kovalam’s transformation remains on hold, with stakeholders urging renewed government effort and flexible bidding conditions to unlock the much-needed investment and restore the beach’s standing as a premier tourist attraction.
