The Business Bytes
Puri, October 20, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a significant move to boost coastal tourism in Odisha, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the establishment of two new lighthouses at Chaumukha in Balasore district and Dhamra in Bhadrak. The announcement was made on Sunday during the 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival, held in Puri.
At present, Odisha boasts five lighthouses at Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point. These new additions are expected to further enhance the state’s tourism appeal. Sonowal emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the coastal communities around these lighthouses, developing them into vibrant societies and empowering them to benefit from the rise in tourism.
Speaking at the event, Sonowal highlighted the cultural and historical significance of India’s lighthouses. “A central association will be created to unify coastal communities, celebrate lighthouses as national icons, and promote the rich maritime legacy of India,” he said.
In addition to the lighthouse announcements in Odisha, the minister also inaugurated the Kalwan Reef Lighthouse in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and infrastructure projects at Paradip Port, including a stacker-cum-reclaimer and a flyover. These developments are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster tourism and infrastructure along India’s coastline.
The Indian Lighthouse Festival, known as ‘Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav,’ has become a popular annual event, drawing praise from across the nation. The festival serves as a platform to showcase the country’s lighthouses as both tourist hotspots and symbols of India’s rich maritime history.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to realizing the full potential of India’s cultural heritage. Lighthouses, with their deep historical significance, are integral to this effort,” Sonowal said. He also underscored the government’s focus on fostering economic growth through the development of the blue economy.
Since 2014, tourism at India’s lighthouses has skyrocketed, with a 400% increase in footfall. From 4 lakh visitors in 2014, the number surged to 16 lakh in the last fiscal year, and the momentum continues. “We’ve already recorded over 9 lakh tourists in the first half of this fiscal,” Sonowal added, predicting sustained growth.
The Indian government has invested Rs 60 crore to develop 75 iconic lighthouses across nine coastal states and one union territory. These lighthouses are now more than just navigational aids; they are destinations offering modern amenities, including museums, amphitheatres, and children’s parks, providing a blend of heritage and recreation.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Shantanu Thakur and Suresh Gopi, and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida were among the key dignitaries attending the event, further underlining the state’s focus on tourism and economic development.
This move is expected to create new opportunities for local communities, contribute to the growth of the tourism sector, and reaffirm India’s maritime heritage as a cornerstone of its cultural and economic landscape.
