Padubidri beach aims for Blue Flag certification

Udupi: Padubidri beach will get a major facelift at a cost of 8 crore rupees under the Beach Management Services Scheme (BEAMS) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 13 coastal States and Union Territories have been chosen by the ministry under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan and on a pilot basis, infrastructure facilities will be set up here.

The facilities Padubidri beach will get include bio-toilet blocks, changing rooms with shower panels, jogging track with outdoor gym and children’s play area for recreational activities of beach-goers. The other provisions of the plan include providing purified drinking water on beach and thus reduce the use of plastic bottles, amphibian wheel-chair for differently-abled people, composting and recycling of solid waste, adequate number of dustbins and benches.

As per the plan, the entire beach would be illuminated with LED street lights during the night powered through renewable energy (solar power). sit-out umbrellas with lounger chairs, recycling of water through effluent treatment plant, CCTV cameras for 24 x 7 surveillance and watch towers will be provided under the plan. The aim is to use make the most use of environment-friendly materials in this project.

to maintain cleanliness on the beach,  prevent pollution going into the sea and for to provide safety, the services of professional beach cleaners, security guards, lifeguards and first aid attendants would be provided. The objective is to get Blue Flag certification for Padubidri beach through the plan.

On receiving the certification after completion of the project, there are plans to develop the belt from Padubidri to Kaup with facilities including hotels, home-stays and resorts for tourists to reside. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is monitoring the technical bids that have been opened for the project.