Ahead of the high-volume tourist season, Kovalam, one of Kerala s main destinations with its pristine crescent-shaped beaches and palm-lined coves, is set to become safer and more secure than ever before with additional security features, including a 24X7 CCTV system being put in place.

In a novel initiative, overall charge of the coastal hotspot’s security hitherto split into separate jurisdictions between a number of government bodies will be consolidated in the hands of a Destination Manager.

The position will become the designated authority to handle matters of day-to-day operational security, an official release said today.

The entire resort area will be blanketed 24x7 by a security system that incorporates a CCTV surveillance network.

Discrete fencing would be put up around popular viewpoints such as the Edakkal rocks to ensure tourist safety without becoming an eyesore, the Tourism department said.

A short-term road map was laid out by Kerala Tourism at a joint action meeting in Thiruvananthapuram a few days ago that brought together some 40 representatives from a number of government departments as well as tourism and trade industry stakeholders.

"The meeting was convened to both assure involved parties of resolute support at all levels to help preserve Kovalam and to ensure that all corrective measures currently being implemented are completed well before the first week of November, when the tourist season officially kicks off," Kerala Tourism Director U V Jose said.