New Delhi || 20-10-2024 Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways hosted the 2nd Lighthouse Tourism Conclave in Puri on 19 Oct 2024.
Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, along with T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW, inaugurated the Mega Event at this first-of-its-kind conclave dedicated to lighthouse tourism.
The conclave was also graced by dignitaries, including Shri Sambit Patra, Hon’ble MP from Puri; Shri Suresh Gopi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas & Tourism; and Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha.
Mr Thakur emphasized on the importance of developing lighthouse tourism as a means to boost local economies and preserve India’s rich maritime heritage.
During the conclave on Lighthouse tourism Shri @Shantanu_bjp, MoS, MoPSW highlighted the role lighthouses played in maritime navigation before the advent of GPS tracking systems. He also praised Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi for his commitment to preserve these iconic structures. pic.twitter.com/Kv4frIesxm
— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) October 19, 2024
With over 100 participants, including government officials, tourism experts, and conservationists, in attendance, the event aimed to explore the vast potential of lighthouse tourism and strategies for preserving these maritime structures, blending tourism development with heritage conservation.
A detailed presentation by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGL) showcased the current status and future prospects of lighthouse tourism in India, highlighting various initiatives underway.
With an investment of ₹60 crore, 75 iconic lighthouses across 9 coastal States and one Union Territory have been developed under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Each lighthouse has become a beacon of both heritage and recreation, with modern amenities such as museums, amphitheaters, children’s parks, and more.
In Odisha, five lighthouses at Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point have been developed as part of the initiative to promote lighthouse tourism.
The thought process started in way back in 2018 wherein I was posted in Pipavav and visited shiyal vet light house ! It was well maintained with old heritage type of machinery to operate the light house ! That time the talks were on with Mahindra club to be associated for light house tourism.
Thanks for your Input Capt. Behera