THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Today, the first wedding is set to take place at the inaugural destination wedding center, organized by the tourism department at Shankhumukham beach. The couple tying the knot, Riyas from Nilamel, Kollam and Anagha from Ullur, Thiruvananthapuram will exchange vows at the venue at five o'clock in the evening.

The tourism department has invested two crore rupees to establish the destination wedding center at Shankhumugham. While similar setups exist in the private sectors of Kumarakam and Alappuzha, this marks the government sector's first initiative in this regard. Eminent people such as public representatives and high-ranking officials of the district will grace the wedding ceremony. The venue has been decked out with a wedding podium designated selfie points and other amenities. Notably, the fee for hosting a wedding here stands at Rs 75,000.

Simultaneously, efforts to enhance the beauty of Shankhumugham and its environs are underway. Plans include the creation of a nightlife hub around the beach, comprising an amusement park, an AI game center, a food park, coffee and snack stalls, an outdoor game zone, a 3D light show and a fish spa tailored for children's enjoyment.

To draw crowds during the evenings, a food street will be introduced at the beach, equipped with essential amenities in each shop room. Operating from 7 am till midnight, this street will host a range of offerings. Additionally, a stage will be erected for entertaining programs. This ambitious project is slated for completion by January of the upcoming year. Upon its inauguration, Shankhumugham is expected to transform into the new nightlife hub of the capital city, following the footsteps of Kanakakkunnu and Manaviyam Veethi.