Parliament Question: Tourism at Lighthouses

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING ANS WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3233 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026 TOURISM AT LIGHTHOUSES

3233. SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी

(a) the role of lighthouses beyond providing aids to Navigation along with the theme of the Lighthouse Tourism Project;

(b) the manner in which the project aligns with the Government's vision for preserving maritime heritage and promoting tourism; and

(c) the steps being taken by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships

(DGLL) to establish lighthouses and promote tourism along inland waterways in the North-Eastern region, including site inspections and coordination with IWAI? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (c) Lighthouses primarily serve as Marine Aids to Navigation for ensuring safe and efficient maritime navigation. In addition to this core function, the Government is actively promoting Lighthouse Tourism which is in line with its vision of preserving India's maritime heritage and promoting educational, cultural and tourism purposes under

Section 23 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021. As part of this initiative, Lighthouse Museums have been established at Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Alappuzha, Kannur, Muttom, Dwarka and Gopnath to showcase the evolution of lighthouse technology and India's maritime heritage. Under this initiative, tourism facilities have been developed at 75 lighthouses across the country as part of the Government's vision to preserve their historical and architectural significance. List is attached as Annexure.The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on

08.04.2025 to enhance river navigation safety and promote tourism through the development and establishment of lighthouses on National Waterway-2 (NW-2). Joint inspections were carried out by DGLL and IWAI to identify suitable sites for the establishment of lighthouses along NW-2. Feasibility studies were conducted based on the findings of the site inspections, considering navigational requirements, site accessibility, land availability and tourism potential. Based on these feasibility studies, four sites, namely Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu and Biswanath Ghat along NW-2, have been identified, and work orders have been issued for the establishment of lighthouses.Annexure – I State-wise list of 75 Lighthouses developed for tourism purposes S. State/ UT Name of Lighthouse No.

1 Gujarat Mandvi Lighthouse, Rawalpir Lighthouse, Samiyani Lighthouse, Okha Lighthouse, Kachchhigadh Lighthouse, Porbandar Lighthouse, Mangrol Lighthouse, Jaffrabad Lighthouse, Jegri Lighthouse, Alang Lighthouse, Ghogha Lighthouse, Hazira Lighthouse, Valsad Khadi Lighthouse, Gopnath Lighthouse, Veraval Lighthouse, Dwarka Lighthouse, Umargaon Lighthouse.

2 Goa Aguada Lighthouse, 3 Karnataka Tadri Lighthouse, Bhatkal Lighthouse, Kaup Lighthouse, Surathkal Lighthouse, Kundapur Lighthouse.

4 Kerala Kannur Lighthouse, Ponnani Lighthouse, Chetwai Lighthouse, Vypin Lighthouse, Alappuzha Lighthouse, Valiyazhikal Lighthouse, Thangasseri Lighthouse, Anjengo Lighthouse, Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Azhikode Lighthouse, Kadalur Point Lighthouse.

5 Tamil Nadu Kanniyakumari Lighthouse, Kuthenkuli Lighthouse, Manappad Lighthouse, Kilakkarai Lighthouse, Dhanushkodi Lighthouse, Pamban Lighthouse, Karaikal Lighthouse, Mallipattinam Lighthouse, Kodikkarai Lighthouse, Nagapattinam Lighthouse, Poompuhar Lighthouse, Pulicat Lighthouse, Muttom Point Lighthouse, Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, Chennai Lighthouse.

6 Andhra Ramayapatnam Lighthouse, Machilipatnam Lighthouse, Antervedi Pradesh Lighthouse, Sacramento Lighthouse, Vakalapudi Lighthouse, Santapalli Lighthouse, Kalingapatnam Lighthouse, Baruva Lighthouse, Vodarevu Lighthouse, Pudimadaka Lighthouse.

7 Odisha Gopalpur Lighthouse, Puri Lighthouse, Chandrabhaga Lighthouse, Paradip Lighthouse, False Point Lighthouse 8 West Tajpur Lighthouse, Dariapur Lighthouse, Sagar Island Lighthouse Bengal 9 Maharashtra Uttan Point Lighthouse, Korlai Fort Lighthouse, Jaigarh Lighthouse, Ratnagiri Lighthouse, Vengurla Point Lighthouse, Kelshi Lighthouse 10 Andaman North Point Lighthouse, Keating Point Lighthouse.

and Nicobar Islands *****