Sun Nov 02 19:23:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:

Summary:

A 7.36 km seawall and walkway between Chellanam and Puthenthode in West Kochi has become a popular tourist attraction. Built at a cost of ₹344 crore, the structure protects the coast and provides a scenic walking area. Locals and tourists are requesting benches and lights to enhance the visitor experience and allow for evening visits. There are demands to extend the walkway by 6.5 km to Fort Kochi, a project estimated at ₹306 crore. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is considering the installation of amenities pending local approvals. Experts believe the project is a success, highlighting the need for more coastal protection and walkways as key tourist attractions such as Fort Kochi beach have been lost to sea incursion.

News Article:

West Kochi Seawall a Hit, Calls Grow for Expansion and Amenities

KOCHI, November 3, 2025 – The newly constructed seawall and walkway connecting Chellanam and Puthenthode in West Kochi has quickly become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The 7.36-kilometer structure, built at a cost of ₹344 crore, serves as a critical coastal defense while offering a scenic route for pedestrians.

The walkway features 16 access points and has drawn thousands of visitors. However, growing demand for amenities like benches and lights is putting pressure on local authorities. Residents and tourism advocates argue these additions would enhance the visitor experience and allow for evening use of the walkway.

“The fresh air and views are already a big draw,” says V. T. Sebastian, general convener of the Chellanam–Kochi Janakeeya Vedhi. “With benches and lights, this could be a destination for all hours.”

Adding to the momentum, the Janakeeya Vedhi and other groups are pushing for an extension of the walkway another 6.5 km to Fort Kochi. A project promised by the government in 2023, and estimated to cost ₹306 crore, it would create a continuous 14 km coastal promenade.

The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has acknowledged the requests for benches and lights and stated the issue has been discussed in council meetings. Installation is pending a no-objection certificate (NOC) from local bodies, said sources within DTPC.

Heritage enthusiast Mini Ulanat praised the project as a “triumph of resilience,” noting the area’s past struggles with coastal erosion. She emphasized the need for similar coastal protection measures in other vulnerable areas.

The success of the Chellanam-Puthenthode seawall comes as much of the Fort Kochi beach, a former tourist hotspot, has been lost to sea incursion. Officials hope that further development of walkways and other coastal protection infrastructure can help revitalize tourism in the region. Kerala Tourism officials see the walkway as a boon for visitors who once frequented Fort Kochi beach and hope the government will allocate sufficient funds for other walkways, including the one along Fort Kochi beach.

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