A beach cleaning machine

KOLLAM: The Kollam Corporation has made a provision of Rs. 20 lakh in the 2008-2009 budget for importing a beach cleaning machine. Mayor N. Padmalochanan told The Hindu that the import is part of the civic body’s beach beautification programme. The aim of the programme is to make the Kollam Beach complex complement Ashtamudi Lake as a major tourist destination of southern Kerala.

How it works


Beach cleaning machines are specially made vehicles that move along the beach, penetrating the sand to a depth of 12 inches with a comprehensive sifting action to dry and ventilate the soil. The vehicle has a multi-gauged mesh which sieves the rubbish littered on the beach and deposit them in containers that can be emptied.

At present there is no arrangement to clean the beach, which is visited by hundreds of people daily. Kollam beach will become the first beach in the State to have such a machine. An imported beach cleaning machine is currently operating at the Marina Beach in Chennai.



Mr. Padmalochanan said that the equipment will be imported by June. Formalities regarding the import procedure will have to be completed.

Several European countries manufacture the machine and the one most suited for Kerala conditions have to be selected.

The Mayor said that the Kollam beach beautification programme also comprises reviving the botanical garden parallel to the Kollam Canal on the eastern side of the beach.

In addition to planting trees and shrubs, the garden complex will be landscaped with a lawn. Adjacent to this complex, a water sports complex and an aquarium will also come up.

He said that a private firm has come forward to develop and maintain the botanical garden and the Mahatma Gandhi Park of Kollam beach on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. But, government policy stipulates that BOT moves for public parks should be advertised. Then selection is made from the bidders. The Corporation would strictly abide by the policy, Mr. Padmalochanan said.