ochi has been chosen along with Chennai and Vishakapatnam by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping, to host road shows for its ambitious programme to transform lighthouses into “unique tourism destinations”.
The DGLL carried out a techno-economic feasibility study for 12 lighthouses, of which request for qualification has been issued for eight sites, including Kadalur Point lighthouse near Kannur.
Kochi will host the first road show on October 14. The road shows were being organised with the help of the respective Port Trusts and would culminate in an investors’ meet in Mumbai on October 29, said a release. Chettuva, Vypeen, Manakkodam, Vizhinjam, Thangasseri, Kannur, Alappuzha and Kadalur Point were the lighthouses selected in Kerala for the tourism development programme, said the release. Kadamat, Thinakaara, Agathi, Androth, West End, Kavaratti and Suhelipar are among the 10 lighthouses on the Lakshwadeep Islands selected for the programme.
Lighthouses in the programme from other States include Aguada in Goa; Kanyakumari and Muttam in Tamil Nadu and Sunk Rock off Mumbai.
“Though generally perceived as navigational aids, lighthouses are also symbols of history and icons of maritime heritage”, said the government document inviting the expression of interest.
Primarily, the programme hinges on the historic value of the lighthouses.
For example, the Vypeen lighthouse was first erected in 1839 and was replaced with an RCC structure in 1979. The Thangassery lighthouse is 112-years-old and has an average tourist flow of about 5,000 per month.
The Manakkodam lighthouse, near Cherthala, was commissioned in 1979 and has a scenic foreground with substantial beach area.
The tourism facilities being envisaged at these sites include viewing galleries, information and souvenir centres, eco-resorts with camp sites, restaurants and food cafes, family entertainment centres, sound and light laser shows, art and craft villages and accommodation facilities.
Though generally perceived as navigational aids, lighthouses are also symbols of history and icons of maritime heritage.
Primarily, the programme hinges on the historic value of the lighthouses.
