Developing lighthouses will boost local economy, says Venkaiah Naidu

Welcoming the decision of Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to develop 75, of the 205 lighthouses, along the 11,000 km long coastline of India, as major tourist destinations, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu said it will not only attract tourists but also boost local economy.

He participated as chief guest at the inaugural of the 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival, organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and the Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships at the MGM Park, on the Beach Road, here, on Friday evening (January 09, 2026).

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu said that 10, of the 17 lighthouses in Andhra Pradesh, were developed as tourist destinations, which was contributing immensely to the promotion of tourism in the coastal areas of the State. Visakhapatnam being chosen for the 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival is an honour for the State. The earlier festivals were held in Goa and Puri (Odisha). Museums, light and sound shows, amphitheatres, cafeteria and ultra modern amenities would be developed at the lighthouses chosen as major tourist destinations, he said.

Referring to the statement of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal that the tourist footfall had registered a five-fold increase after development of the lighthouses, the former Vice-President said that it would also promote our maritime heritage apart from involving the local communities to participate in various initiatives. He also commended the organisation of handicrafts exhibition, local cuisine, and illumination of the lighthouse as part of the festival.

The Union Minister described lighthouses as silent sentinels of our maritime history. These lighthouses guide fishermen to reach the coast safely. After the development of the lighthouses, the tourist fall at the lighthouses increased from four lakh in 2014 to 20 lakh as on date.

He said that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to make India among the top 10 maritime super power nations by 2030 and among the top five by 2047. He said that of the 75 lighthouses taken up across the country under the national lighthouse tourism project, 10 were in Andhra Pradesh.

A.P. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh outlined the projects taken up by the State government to promote tourism apart from providing local employment.