LIGHTHOUSE TOURISM AND MARITIME HERITAGE

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is promoting Lighthouse Tourism to preserve India’s maritime heritage and enhance educational, cultural and tourism activities, as authorized under Section 23 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021. Lighthouse museums have been set up at Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Alappuzha, Kannur, Muttom, Dwarka and Gopnath. Tourism infrastructure—including cafeterias, gardens, play areas, sound‑and‑light shows, amphitheatres and lifts—has been developed at 75 lighthouses across 10 states/UTs, listed in an annexure. The initiative was disclosed by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.