The Indian government is exploring the possibility of venturing into lighthouse tourism and a report was ready in this regard.
“Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) is exploring the possibility of turning select lighthouses into tourist destinations for which the project is ready,” Shipping Minister G K Vasan said at a function here.
In the first phase, 13 lighthouses, including four in Tamil Nadu, would be covered.
“Our beautiful lighthouse at Marina in Chennai is going to house a museum,” he said.
Vasan also handed over the approval for setting up a lighthouse at Vembar in Tuticorin district in the state to DGLL.
About 13 ancient lighthouses in India, including four in Tamil Nadu at Chennai, Mamallapuram, Muttam near Kanyakumari and Rameshwaram will be turned into heritage centers and tourist spots aided with spas, cottages and hotels. The project is the initiative of the Directorate of lighthouses and light ships under the Union Shipping Ministry and in its first phase all the lighthouses will undergo major renovation.
One of India’s oldest lighthouses is located in Mamallapuram built in the 8th century on a rock by the Pallvas. The lighthouse remained functional till the 19th century.
The light house in Chennai called the Madras Light House in located on the famous Marina Beach facing the Bay of Bengal. Some other famous lighthouses across the country are Alappuzha Lighthouse in Alappuzha in Kerala, Dolphin Lighthouse, Prong’s Lighthouse and Sunk Rock Lighthouse in Mumbai harbor near Gateway of India, Oyster Lighthouse in Karwar in Karnataka and Cannanore Lighthouse near Kannur town in Kerala. Other states where lighthouses are famous landmarks are West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
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