With an aim to promote lighthouse tourism in the state, nine lighthouses in Maharashtra will be developed as tourist destinations by the Union shipping ministry.Lighthouses at Uttan Point, Korlai Fort, Jaigad, Vengurla Rocks, Kanhoji Angre, Ratnagiri, Devgad, Tolkeshwar Point and Sunk Rock in the state have been identified for the ambitious project aimed at developing tourism at these places.
To tap the scenic surroundings and the maritime heritage, the shipping ministry has decided to develop 78 lighthouses across the country for attracting tourists. This development is proposed to be done in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The land adjacent to these lighthouses would have hotels, resorts, viewing gallery, maritime museums and heritage museums, adventure sports facilities, thematic restaurants, souvenir shops, laser shows, spa and rejuvenation centres, amphitheaters and allied tourism facilities to attract the visitors, subject to viability and necessary clearances.
India has 189 lighthouses dotting its vast coastline of 7,517 km. The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) has successfully developed four lighthouses as tourist centres at Madras and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu and Alleppy and Cannanore in Kerala.
The DGLL has already invited request for qualifications (RFQ) from developers for eight lighthouses at Aguada (Goa), Chandrabhaga (Odisha), Mahabalipuram, Kanya Kumari and Muttom (Tamil Nadu), Kadalur Point (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.
Capt. A.M. Suraj, DGLL, said, “We will provide land to developers to develop these lighthouses as tourist centres. We see a big tourism potential in this project.”
An investor summit is also organised in Mumbai on Thursday, which will be addressed by Nitin Gadkari, minister of shipping, road transport and highways. It is aimed at seeking active participation from the hospitality players and developers in the private sector and the support of the state government agencies, said DGLL officials.
