Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced that four new lighthouses will be constructed along National Waterway–2 on the Brahmaputra at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu, and Biswanathghat to enhance inland navigational safety.
The announcement came at the valedictory session of Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 in Visakhapatnam, which showcased the evolving role of lighthouses beyond coastal areas, emphasizing their importance in riverine transport, maritime heritage, and tourism.
Celebrating India’s coastal culture and maritime legacy, Sonowal described the festival as a platform that connects people with culture, history, and livelihoods. Over two days, the event featured vibrant cultural performances, local crafts, coastal cuisine, fashion shows, and illuminated night-time displays, attracting families, youth, artists, students, and entrepreneurs.
A highlight of the festival was the announcement of Andhra Pradesh’s first Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam. Designed as a hub for maritime education, heritage conservation, and tourism promotion, the museum will be established on over 3,100 square metres of land at the Old Lighthouse area within Visakhapatnam Port, following an MoU between the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.
Building on the success of converting 75 lighthouses into tourist destinations across India, Sonowal said the government plans to develop 25 more, focusing on locations in Andhra Pradesh to strengthen lighthouse tourism along the eastern coast.
Looking ahead, he also highlighted the construction of a 77-metre-high Lighthouse Museum at the National Maritime Heritage Complex, with an investment of ₹266 crore. This museum is set to become the world’s tallest lighthouse museum and one of the largest maritime museums globally.
