Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram, is now home to a brand-new tourist attraction: its first floating bridge. This innovative structure, located at Papanasam Beach, was inaugurated on December 25, marking a significant step in enhancing beach tourism in the state.

This floating bridge is the seventh of its kind in Kerala, developed under the state's tourism department initiative. It's a collaborative effort involving the Department of Tourism, District Tourism Promotion Council, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, and the Municipality of Varkala.

Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas, during the inauguration, highlighted the government's strategy to boost beach tourism. The plan involves connecting various tourist hotspots along Kerala's 580-kilometer coastline, spanning nine of the state's 14 districts.

The bridge, spanning 100 meters in length and three meters in width, is supported by pillars on both sides. At its end, there's an 11-meter long and seven-meter wide platform, offering visitors a spectacular view of the sea. Constructed using 1,400 high-density floating polyethylene blocks, the bridge is designed with visitors' safety in mind. It's equipped with safety boats, life jackets, and lifeguards. Up to 100 visitors can enjoy the bridge at a time, between 11 am and 5 pm.