The Central government's agenda is to set up one lighthouse every 30 nautical miles along the maritime route in the country, said Union Minister for Shipping G. K. Vasan at Manora near Mallipattinam in Thanjavur district on Friday where he inaugurated the Poompuhar lighthouse and differential global positioning system (DGPS) for Rameswaram.
At the same meeting, Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palani Manickam dedicated the Mallipattinam lighthouse to the nation.
Mr. Vasan said the goals of the agenda would be achieved within five years. A new lighthouse would be erected at Marakkanam in Villupuram district and Vembar in Tuticorin district. In response to a demand by Vembar panchayat, a feasibility study had been conducted and a sum of Rs.2.5 crore allotted for establishing the lighthouse at Vembar. It would be useful to the fishermen of Vembar.
Mr. Vasan also said that to monitor ships and boats within a radius of 25 nautical miles, an automatic identity system (AIS) was being established. A sum of Rs.131 crore had been allotted. Radar system was also being installed in lighthouses.
The Minister said that 95 per cent of the trade in the country was seaborne. Lighthouses were very important for safe sailing of ships both big and small. They were called the lamppost of the ocean. In Tamil Nadu alone, in the last four years, five lighthouses were constructed.
The Mallipattinam lighthouse has been constructed at a cost of Rs.2.05 crore, the Poompuhar lighthouse at a cost of Rs.1.65 crore, and the Rameswaram DGPS at a cost of Rs.2.53 crore.
