Tourist Spots. (Representational Image)
Enthused by a higher tourist footfall at historic lighthouses of Mahabalipuram and Cannanore, the government has decided to develop 78 more such structures across India in PPP mode in the first phase to unlock their rich history and heritage.
India has 189 lighthouses dotting its 7,517-km vast coast line, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
"The Ministry of Shipping, along with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), has drawn up an ambitious programme to develop 78 lighthouses in the country as centres of tourism in the first phase under public private partnership (PPP)," an official statement said.
The identified lighthouses are in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar.
Steeped in rich maritime heritage, each lighthouse has its own story to tell and has tremendous tourism potential to be tapped.
"The land adjacent to these lighthouses may have hotels, resorts, viewing galleries, maritime museums and heritage museums, adventure sports facilities, thematic restaurants, souvenir shops, LASER shows, spa and rejuvenation centres, amphitheatres and allied tourism facilities to attract tourists, subject to viability and clearances," it said.
DGLL has already invited requests for qualification (RFQ) from prospective and potential developers for eight lighthouses at Aguada (Goa), Chandrabhaga (Odisha), Mahabalipuram, Kanyakumari and Muttom (Tamil Nadu), Kadalur Point (Thikkodi, Kerala), Kanhoji Angre and Sunk Rock (Maharashtra) and Minicoy (Lakshadweep).
An expression of interest (EoI) has also been issued by DGLL for another 70 lighthouses.
"To generate greater interest of the public and private players, the Ministry of Shipping is also organising three roadshows in Kochi, Vizag and Chennai on October 14, 17 and 19, respectively, and Investor Summit in Mumbai on October 29," it said.
Traditionally, lighthouses have been beacons of navigation for mariners for centuries, but of late these are transforming into major tourist destinations.
The world over, lighthouses attract tourists with their scenic and serene surroundings and rich maritime heritage.