THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 11, 2026

Odisha's five historic lighthouses, including those at Puri, Gopalpur and Chandrabhaga, are among 75 such maritime landmarks across the country developed with tourism facilities as the Centre steps up efforts to preserve India's rich maritime heritage and turn these navigational aids into attractive tourist destinations.

The Union government is promoting lighthouse tourism not only to showcase the architectural and historical significance of these coastal structures but also to create greater public awareness about India's maritime legacy, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The five lighthouses in Odisha identified under the initiative are Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip and False Point.

Lighthouses have traditionally played a crucial role as Marine Aids to Navigation, helping ensure safe and efficient movement of vessels along the country's coastline. The government, however, is now seeking to expand their role by developing them as centres of education, culture and tourism.

The initiative is being implemented in line with the provisions of Section 23 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, which enables the government to promote lighthouse tourism while preserving the country's maritime heritage.

Tourism-related infrastructure has been developed at 75 lighthouses across the country, with facilities including cafeterias, landscaped gardens, gazebos, children's play areas, light and sound shows, internal pathways, public toilet blocks, drinking water facilities, amphitheatres and lifts.

The move is aimed at giving visitors an opportunity to experience the history and evolution of lighthouse technology while also highlighting the role these iconic structures have played in India's maritime journey.

The government has also established dedicated Lighthouse Museums at Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Alappuzha, Kannur, Muttom, Dwarka and Gopnath. These museums showcase the evolution of lighthouse technology and offer visitors an insight into India's long maritime history.

Gujarat has the highest number of lighthouses developed for tourism under the initiative, with 17 locations, followed by Tamil Nadu with 15 and Kerala with 11. Andhra Pradesh has 10, while Karnataka has five and Maharashtra six. West Bengal has three, Goa one and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands two.

The initiative comes as the government seeks to combine the functional role of lighthouses as navigational landmarks with their potential as heritage and tourism assets along India's vast coastline.