Shining lights for the tourists | Fusion - WeRIndia

Lighthouses which are located in coastal regions and remote islands of India are set to witness a significant tourist makeover. With their long history and scenic locations, both ingredients for an excellent traveler attraction, lighthouses may act as blockbusters for India’s growing tourism sector.

According to shipping ministry officials, areas abutting lighthouses like the one in Kanhoji Angre island close to Mumbai port, Muttom near Kanyakumari, False point close to Paradip in Odisha and Minicoy in Lakshadweep will soon be developed as major tourism zones with facilities together with resorts, ayurvedic resorts, convention centre, heritage trail and water sports. A number of these will be operational in two years from present.

Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari stated that these projects will create a lot of jobs and other economic opportunities for people. So far, 15 lighthouses have been identified for tourism activities which include those in Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, Konark, Dwarka, Sunk Rock (Mumbai) and Dolphin’s Nose (Visakhaptnam).

The director general of lighthouses and lightships has envisaged the plans for these areas and sources said bids for developing such projects on public private partnership (PPP) model would be ready in the coming 6-8 months. Out of 189 lighthouses on the coasts or located in islands, around 32-33 may be developed for tourism activities.

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