LIGHTHOUSES FOR TOURISM

U pdated:

11/8/2015 12:18 AM

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The Ministry of Shipping on Thursday announced that the Directorate

General of Lighthouses and Lightships has drawn up a plan to develop 78
of the countrys 189 lighthouses as tourist-friendly destinations via the
PPP model.
All over the world, lighthouses enthral tourists with their scenic and serene
surroundings and rich maritime heritage. In India there is a vast tourism
potential, which has largely remained untapped
Lighthouses in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala,
Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West
Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have so far been identified for
development.
Director General Lighthouses and Lightships Captain A.M. Surez said that
four lighthouses, in Chennai and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and
Alappuzha and Kannur in Kerala, have already been developed as tourist
attractions and are seeing substantial footfalls.
While there is investor interest in the project, Mr. Gadkari said that there
were some concerns. There have been some concerns expressed by
investors, especially with respect to Coastal Regulation Zone clearance,
security clearance, support from Ministry of Shipping in the form of
subsidy, etc, he said.
An Inter-Ministerial Group comprising representatives of the Ministries
of Shipping, Tourism, and Environment, and also of the participating
States will be set up to address these concerns and roadblocks.
The development of these lighthouses as tourist attractions will involve
the construction of hotels and resorts, thematic restaurants, viewing
galleries, walk-in museums and other facilities.