The Business Bytes
Puri, October 20, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a significant boost to Odisha’s tourism sector, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the establishment of two new lighthouses along the Odisha coast. These lighthouses, to be set up at Chaumukha in Balasore district and Dhamra in Bhadrak, are part of the government’s efforts to promote coastal tourism in the state.
Speaking at the 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival in Puri on Sunday, Sonowal highlighted the importance of developing coastal communities in the vicinity of lighthouses. “Our aim is to empower these communities, making them integral to the promotion of these iconic monuments,” Sonowal said. He added that a central association would be formed to bring these societies together, creating a national momentum to celebrate lighthouses as symbols of India’s maritime legacy.
Odisha currently has five operational lighthouses at Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point. The addition of the two new lighthouses will enhance the state’s appeal as a tourist destination, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore India’s rich coastal heritage.
Sonowal also inaugurated the Kalwan Reef Lighthouse in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and launched key infrastructure projects at Paradip Port, including a stacker-cum-reclaimer and a flyover.
He emphasized the growing popularity of lighthouses as tourist attractions, noting that visitor numbers have surged by over 400% since 2014. “From 4 lakh visitors in 2014, lighthouse tourism has grown to 16 lakh in the last fiscal year. We’ve already crossed 9 lakh visitors in the first half of this fiscal, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down,” the minister said.
With a Rs 60 crore investment, the government has developed 75 iconic lighthouses across nine coastal states and one union territory. These heritage monuments have been transformed into recreational hubs, equipped with museums, amphitheatres, children’s parks, and other modern amenities.
“The Indian Lighthouse Festival, or ‘Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav,’ continues to receive widespread appreciation. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to leveraging India’s rich cultural and maritime history to propel economic growth,” Sonowal remarked.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Shantanu Thakur and Suresh Gopi, and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida were also present at the event, underlining the significance of the initiative for both state and national tourism.
