Shanghumugham Beach’s landmark gallery deck likely to open before Onam; 60% of work completed | Thiruvananthapuram News

Thiruvananthapuram: Visitors to Shanghumugham Beach are likely to have a new vantage point to enjoy the Arabian Sea this Onam, with the state govt’s ambitious gallery deck project entering its final phase. Around 60% of construction has been completed, and officials are targeting opening of the facility ahead of festive season.Constructed by irrigation department as part of comprehensive restoration of the erosion-hit beachfront, the gallery is one of the largest public beach viewing structures planned in the state. Of the proposed 355m-long gallery, nearly 160m has already been completed. The structure will comprise five viewing decks with seating capacity for nearly 3,000 people, offering visitors uninterrupted views of the sea while also serving as a protective coastal infrastructure.Construction has gathered pace in recent weeks as favourable weather conditions have enabled uninterrupted work.“We are making every effort to complete the remaining work before Onam. If the progress continues as planned, the gallery deck will be ready to welcome visitors during Onam holidays,” an irrigation department official associated with the project said.The gallery forms the centrepiece of the second phase of Shanghumugham Beach restoration project, being implemented at an estimated cost of around Rs 14 crore. Designed to withstand strong wave action, the structure has been engineered not only as a public viewing gallery but also as a coastal protection measure to safeguard the shoreline from recurring sea erosion.The project extends along a 355m stretch beyond the diaphragm wall constructed to protect Shanghumugham-Airport Road. It also includes granite-armoured shore protection works, improved pedestrian pathways and dedicated ramps for fishermen to launch their boats. Another access ramp is being built to facilitate the annual Arattu procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.The restoration project was launched after severe sea erosion over the past few years damaged large portions of the beach, threatening the historic Arattu Mandapam and drastically reducing the recreational space available for visitors. While the first phase focused on emergency shoreline protection, the ongoing phase aims to restore Shanghumugham as a safe and vibrant public destination.Irrigation officials said the reopening of the gallery will also pave the way for the revival of tourism-related concession activities at the beach. Food kiosks, recreational facilities and other regulated visitor amenities are expected to return once the area is fully opened to the public, significantly enhancing the visitor experience.Located just minutes from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Shanghumugham has long been one of the city’s most popular beaches, attracting thousands of residents and tourists every year.