Hotel rooms sold out for New Year, vehicle restrictions after noon; Kovalam to welcome 2026

VIZHINJAM: The idyllic beach town of Kovalam is ready to welcome 2026. Most hotel rooms are sold out. Many people have thronged here since Tuesday to celebrate New Year's Eve. By this evening, Kovalam will be flooded with tourists.

Security has been beefed up on the Kovalam beach in connection with the New Year celebrations. Celebrations and DJ parties are being held only in accordance with the police's instructions. There will be a police presence, including in Mufti. More security lights have been installed on the beach, including in the alleys. CCTV cameras and video surveillance have been set up. There will be strict police surveillance on the beach. A special control room has been opened on the beach. Warnings in various languages ​will be issued continuously from here.

Lifeguards will be on alert on the beach. There will be more than 300 police officers for security. Mounted police will also be on the fray for surveillance. Medical camps will be set up in the evening. Tourists will be cleared from the beach after 12 midnight.

This year has recorded a dip in foreign tourists at Kovalam to celebrate the New Year. However, some hotels have been booked completely by foreigners. Resort owners blamed the tight restrictions and lack of different cultural events for deterring foreigners from Kovalam.

As of now, most of the tourists are from North India. Many who were on pilgrimage in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple decided to extend their stay to spend the night in Kovalam. Hotel owners say that now 500 to 1000 North Indian tourists are arriving every day, and 80 per cent of them are staying in hotels. They will return after New Year's Eve.

From Wednesday morning, heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the coast. Small four-wheelers and two-wheelers will be allowed until noon. After 12 pm, only essential two-wheelers will be allowed. Tourist buses should stop at Kovalam Junction, drop off passengers and then park near the bypass.