First-of-its-kind sea walkway opens in Malpe

District In-Charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj has said that the Malpe Sea Walkway Point is the first-of-its-kind in the state and second in the country which has been built at a cost for Rs 53.5 lakh.

Speaking after inaugurating the Sea Walkway Point at Malpe, the minister said that the sea walkway is part of the tourism potentials introduced in the area. He added that the foundation stone for the project was laid on November 1 and the work completed by January 26. The walkway is open to the public, however vehicular movement on the stretch is strictly prohibited. Stressing on the cleanliness aspect, the minister instructed the officials to ensure that hygienic conditions are maintained in the area. He said that the public should not be allowed to spill waste all over and fines should be imposed if violations are made.

The total description of the Walkway point is that it is of 500 m in length, with 8.5 feet width and other infrastructural facilities include 15 ornamental lights with 30 steel railings on both sides built on laterite stone which will create a unique landmark for Malpe Beach. The other walkway is at Kozhikode in Kerala. He said Padukere, which is a virgin beach, would also be developed. "If permissions are secured for 1.5 kilometres, it would be an international tourist destination," he said. He said that Rs 22 crore has been invested on St Marys Island in the past four and a half years. St Mary's island has a unique structure known for its columnar rock formation which is found only in South Africa other than Malpe.

As there is uncertainty in the fishing business, the fishermen can pursue tourism activities as an alternative source of livelihood. He said the area would be extensively exploited to promote tourism which would also emerge as the source of livelihood for fishermen. Malpe is one of the two largest ports housing many number of fishing boats in the country, he noted.

A stucco of the fishing family with fine plaster used for coating wall surfaces and moulding into architectural decorations in the backdrop of the walkway is the cynosure of everyone's view in the region. The architecture comprises of a fisherman about to venture into sea for business on one side, while on the other side is his wife carrying basket full of fishes for selling and their kid facing the sea with his back to his parents. The artwork has been carved by renowned artist Purushottham Adve.