78 lighthouses to be developed as tourist attractions under PPP
Updated: Oct 29, 2015 04:21:38pm
New Delhi, Oct 29 (KNN) The Ministry of Shipping has taken up an ambitious plan to develop 78 lighthouses dotting India’s vast coastline as new beacons of tourism, under public private partnership. The move is likely to provide business opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in the vicinity of the lighthouses.
India has as many as 189 lighthouses. The lighthouses identified for the tourism project are located in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 9 Lighthouses from Maharashtra and Goa – located at Sunk Rock, Kanhoji Island, Uttan Point, Korlai Fort, Jaigadh, Ratnagiri, Devgadh, Vengurla Rocks, Tolkeshwar Point, Fort Aguada and Sao George are part of the lighthouse development project, according to an official release.
This was announced by the Ministry of Shipping, Nitin Gadkari while addressing the Investors Summit on Development of Lighthouses as Beacons of Tourism in Mumbai today.
Speaking at the event, he said, “All over the world lighthouses enthral tourists with their scenic and serene surroundings and rich maritime heritage. In India there is a vast tourism potential, which has largely remained untapped.”
Development of tourism infrastructure would involve addition of hotels or resorts, thematic restaurants, construction of viewing galleries, walk in museums and allied tourism facilities, providing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) too.
The Shipping Ministry has already held road shows in Chennai, Kochi and Visakhapatnam and the outcome has been very encouraging, with 236 potential investors participating in them.
However, there have been some concerns expressed by investors, especially with respect to Coastal Regulation Zone clearance, security clearance, support from Ministry of Shipping in the form of subsidy etc, Gadkari said, admitting that there would be some road blocks while implementing this ambitious projects.
The Government’s attitude will remain positive, he assured, adding that an Inter-Ministerial Group comprising representatives of Ministry of Shipping, Tourism and Environment and also that of participating states will be set up to iron out problems if any.
The Ministry has already consulted the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding security clearance, as well as the Ministry of Environment with respect to forest and environment clearances. He informed the investors that environment clearance would be obtained on case to case basis.
Gadkari said the government is also expecting that development of these lighthouses as vibrant tourist spots may give a boost to local economy by generating additional employment as most of these lighthouses are located in the remote areas of the country.
The Director General Lighthouses and Lightships, Captain A M Surez said four Lighthouses located at Chennai and Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu and Alapuzha (Alleppy) and Kannur (Cannanore) in Kerala have already been developed as tourist attractions, which are seeing substantial footfalls. (KNN Bureau)
India has as many as 189 lighthouses. The lighthouses identified for the tourism project are located in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 9 Lighthouses from Maharashtra and Goa – located at Sunk Rock, Kanhoji Island, Uttan Point, Korlai Fort, Jaigadh, Ratnagiri, Devgadh, Vengurla Rocks, Tolkeshwar Point, Fort Aguada and Sao George are part of the lighthouse development project, according to an official release.
This was announced by the Ministry of Shipping, Nitin Gadkari while addressing the Investors Summit on Development of Lighthouses as Beacons of Tourism in Mumbai today.
Speaking at the event, he said, “All over the world lighthouses enthral tourists with their scenic and serene surroundings and rich maritime heritage. In India there is a vast tourism potential, which has largely remained untapped.”
Development of tourism infrastructure would involve addition of hotels or resorts, thematic restaurants, construction of viewing galleries, walk in museums and allied tourism facilities, providing opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) too.
The Shipping Ministry has already held road shows in Chennai, Kochi and Visakhapatnam and the outcome has been very encouraging, with 236 potential investors participating in them.
However, there have been some concerns expressed by investors, especially with respect to Coastal Regulation Zone clearance, security clearance, support from Ministry of Shipping in the form of subsidy etc, Gadkari said, admitting that there would be some road blocks while implementing this ambitious projects.
The Government’s attitude will remain positive, he assured, adding that an Inter-Ministerial Group comprising representatives of Ministry of Shipping, Tourism and Environment and also that of participating states will be set up to iron out problems if any.
The Ministry has already consulted the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding security clearance, as well as the Ministry of Environment with respect to forest and environment clearances. He informed the investors that environment clearance would be obtained on case to case basis.
Gadkari said the government is also expecting that development of these lighthouses as vibrant tourist spots may give a boost to local economy by generating additional employment as most of these lighthouses are located in the remote areas of the country.
The Director General Lighthouses and Lightships, Captain A M Surez said four Lighthouses located at Chennai and Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu and Alapuzha (Alleppy) and Kannur (Cannanore) in Kerala have already been developed as tourist attractions, which are seeing substantial footfalls. (KNN Bureau)
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