THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In response to the indefinite closure of the pathway on Varkala Cliff, which is the lifeline of the tourism destination, owing to erosion and structural instability, the tourism stakeholders are calling for its immediate reconstruction and reopening. Following a series of cliff collapses, the pathway was closed by the Varkala Municipality following directions from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The closure has put hundreds of tourism-related establishments on the North Cliff close to the helipad in jeopardy.
With Onam around the corner, the Varkala Tourism Development Authority (VTDA) is calling for urgent interventions from the authorities for the revival of the destination. To discuss various issues pertaining to Varkala, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas will be meeting the stakeholders and the authorities on Tuesday. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has also given a preliminary report for the conservation and protection of the cliff to the district collector.
On Monday, a team led by the district collector visited Varkala as part of a field survey to review the present situation of the cliff. The North Cliff being a major attraction for visitors and tourists arriving at Varkala, the stakeholders are urging the authorities to take up the reconstruction work. “We will be meeting the tourism minister today.
We are ready to undertake measures to reinforce and maintain the pathway, including installation of proper railings and enh.