Beach to sport a spick-and-span look

KOCHI: Cheer up Kochiites, the Fort Kochi Beach is all set to sport a clean and tidy look if the proposal mooted by an agency gets going.The private agency, responsible for clearing waste in the Marina Beach, Chennai, has offered to help clean the Fort Kochi beach.After successfully implementing its cleaning programme in the world’s second largest beach the agency representatives visited the  beach the other day, according to sources.The party had made an informal visit to the beach to conduct a study on taking up the cleaning operation. The proposal is informal and has to be discussed threadbare, sources said.The team is expected to visit the beach once again. As per initial studies the contractor would use mechanised implements to clean up the beach.Since the Fort Kochi beach is much smaller than the Marina, the work appears to be a smooth sail,  sources said. According to the initial estimates the cleaners have agreed to work for about Rs 2,500 per day.“This is not final. They will give a clear picture only after conducting another visit,” sources said. As for funds, the sources said the local body under which the entire area comes should take the lead. The tourism department and other voluntary agencies should  come forward to help raise the funds."It is high time we gave serious thought to the issue of upgrading the beach to global standards. This would involve huge funds and we should find a way of raising it,”  sources said.The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sources said that the proposal should be urgently considered. The chamber said that it would support any  measure which would help make the tourism zone clean and attractive.