Pics: Chandrashekar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Dec 3: Malpe’s once-popular Sea Walk has slipped into alarming neglect, with overgrown vegetation, broken granite slabs, uneven interlock tiles and mounting piles of rubbish leaving tourists dismayed. What was intended as a scenic coastal promenade has now become an eyesore, littered with plastic waste, empty bottles and gutka stains.

Stretching 480 metres in length and 9 metres in width, the Sea Walk was constructed at a cost of Rs 53.5 lac and inaugurated in 2018. Today, however, visitors—especially devotees heading to Malpe after darshan at Sri Krishna Math—say the foul smell, filth and dilapidated pathways are enough to deter them from stepping onto the stretch. Many have expressed disgust, with some saying they would reconsider visiting the spot altogether.

Despite remaining a popular route for morning and evening walkers, and seeing larger crowds on weekends and holidays, the rise in footfall has translated into a surge in indiscriminate waste dumping. With no penalties imposed on those who litter, the lack of enforcement has emboldened irresponsible behaviour, gradually turning the Sea Walk into a dumping ground.

Damage to the infrastructure is evident throughout. The protective walls lining both sides have weakened, and numerous granite slabs are cracked or missing. Interlock tiles have lifted unevenly, posing a tripping hazard for walkers and making the area unsafe.

Vegetation that sprouted during the monsoon has now grown into tall, dense thickets along the entire stretch. These plants have overtaken seating areas, preventing visitors from resting or enjoying the sea view. Meanwhile, garbage continues to accumulate, worsening the state of the promenade.

Veeresh, who previously handled maintenance of the Sea Walk, told Daijiworld that the facility used to be well managed. “When we were in charge, the place remained clean because regular cleaning was carried out. Even though there were more tourists at that time, they did not tolerate littering and ensured every bit of waste was collected and disposed of through the municipality,” he said.

The deteriorating condition of the Malpe Sea Walk has raised serious concerns about the neglect of public infrastructure and the absence of any long-term maintenance plan. Locals and tourists alike are now urging the concerned authorities to intervene swiftly to restore the promenade to its former appeal and ensure its upkeep.