65 lighthouses to turn into tourist destinations

KOCHI: 65 lighthouses in the country, including nine in Kerala, will turn into tourist destinations. The project will be implemented in the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The aim is to attract tourists by expanding the facilities in the lighthouses and allocating space. The area adjacent to the lighthouses will be given to the entrepreneurs. Infrastructure enhancement projects can be implemented in line with the heritage. Entrepreneurs will be given the task of running the lighthouses for a fixed period of time. The condition is that the central government should be paid a fixed share of the fee charged for admission.

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Water Transport has invited expressions of interest for the project. Submissions are open until May 7. An online meeting will be held on the 23rd of this month at 3 pm to resolve the doubts of the entrepreneurs.

Lighthouses in Kerala

Chettuva (Thrissur)

Vypin (Ernakulam)

Alappuzha (Alappuzha)

Manakkodam (Alappuzha)

Valiyazheekkal (Alappuzha)

Kannur (Kannur)

Thankassery (Kollam)

Anchuthengu (Thiruvananthapuram)

Vizhinjam (Thiruvananthapuram)

Lighthouses are not only a guide for seafarers but also an indicator of history and naval heritage. Foreign countries have benefited from connecting lighthouses of historical significance with tourism. Countries such as South Africa, Scotland, the UK, South Korea and the United States promote lighthouse tourism.