Kerala High Court Directs Restoration Of Damaged Munakkal Beach Facilities

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M issued the direction in a public interest litigation which alleged that 'Muziris Golden Vibes' a public company owned by the Government that manages and develops the Muziris Heritage Project had caused damage to the walkways, steel handrails, wheelchair ramps and lawns at Munakkal Beach.

The petitioner alleged that the damage was caused in June 2026 in connection with the proposed construction of eco-stays.

According to the petition, Munakkal Beach spans about 35 acres and is under the administration and control of the Kerala Maritime Board. It was further submitted that 26 wheelchair ramps and tactile paths were installed at the beach in 2019, while the Azhikode-Munakkal beach project implemented in 2021 included 1,300-metre walkways, cycle tracks, toilets, food courts, lighting, landscaping, CCTV facilities and other amenities. The petition claims that about Rs 5.97 crore was spent on the project from the State exchequer.

The petition traces the dispute to an Expression of Interest issued in August 2025 for operating café spots and tourism activities at Munakkal Beach. A rank list published on October 21, 2025, according to the petition, showed Brilliant Group as the highest bidder for camping and related activities.

However, the petitioner alleges that a Master Concession Agreement was subsequently executed on March 12, 2026, between Muziris Projects Ltd. and M/s Muziris Golden Vibes, granting the latter rights to design, develop, operate and maintain the camping and related project.

The petition points out that the agreement required the project to be implemented in a designated area at Munakkal Beach in accordance with the EOI document, approved plans and applicable laws. It alleges that the agreement did not specify the designated area in its schedule.

The petitioner alleges that on June 21, 2026, the concessionaire damaged existing walkways, steel handrails, wheelchair ramps and lawns while undertaking construction for eco-stays. The petitioner contended that the alleged destruction attracts Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

Following complaints from local residents, the Kerala Maritime Board issued a stop memo on June 23, 2026, directing that construction on the port property be stopped and that no construction be undertaken without permission.

A subsequent communication dated July 9, 2026, from the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kodungallur, stated that construction work being carried out by Muziris Golden Vibes at Munakkal Beach had been temporarily suspended and that the complainant could seek appropriate redress before the court.

The petitioner submitted that despite representations submitted to various authorities on August 28, 2026, no steps were taken to restore the allegedly damaged facilities or to initiate prosecution in connection with the alleged destruction.

The Court thus directed the sixth respondent-Muziris Golden Vibes to examine the grievances and issues raised in the petition and take appropriate steps for restoration of the damaged facilities.

The Court further directed the Chief Executive Officer of Kerala Maritime Board to consider and decide the grievances and allegations raised in the petition after providing a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and respondents.

With these directions, the Court disposed of the petition.

Counsel for Petitioner: Daisy A. Philipose, Jai George, Darshan A.D