Vizag to Get State’s First Lighthouse Museum

Visakhapatnam: Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday announced that Visakhapatnam will get its first Andhra Pradesh Lighthouse Museum, which aims to promote maritime education, preserve heritage and boost tourism. He also announced that a Maritime Education and Tourism Promotion Center will be established at a lighthouse in the city.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the third India Lighthouse Festival, the Minister said India will host the General Assembly of the International Association of Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in January 2027 for the first time with the participation of 42 member countries, reflecting India’s growing global leadership in maritime navigation.

Sonowal said lighthouse tourism has witnessed significant growth, with the number of visitors rising from around four lakh in 2014 to around 20 lakh currently, following the development of 75 lighthouses as tourist destinations. Building on this success, the ministry plans to build 25 more lighthouses across the country.

The last day of the Lighthouse Festival was marked by cultural programs, stands and entertainment events. Over the past two days, Visakhapatnam has emerged as a major hub showcasing India’s maritime heritage and engaging a wide range of public including families, youth, students, artists and tourists.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the Minister emphasized the need to preserve and showcase India’s maritime heritage for future generations. He also mentioned that the National Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed on 375 acres at Lothal in Gujarat at an estimated cost of ₹ 4,500 crore and many countries have already signed MoUs for cooperation. The 77-meter-high lighthouse in the complex will symbolize India’s maritime past, present and future.

Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism, lauded Sonowal’s efforts to transform lighthouses into inclusive, community-oriented tourism centres, noting their importance as symbols of history and nationhood.