New Lighthouses to Boost Tourism Along Brahmaputra River

Union Minister Announces New Initiatives for Lighthouse Tourism

New Delhi, Jan 12: Highlighting the government's dedication to enhancing lighthouse tourism, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, revealed plans for the construction of four new lighthouses along the Brahmaputra river.

During the two-day Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 held in Visakhapatnam, Sonowal introduced several initiatives aimed at improving maritime safety, heritage, and tourism throughout the nation.

“We will build four new lighthouses along National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) in Assam at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu, and Biswanathghat to improve navigational safety on our inland waterways,” Sonowal stated.

He further expressed that the Lighthouse Festival was designed to celebrate culture, people, and heritage, noting that Visakhapatnam has surpassed expectations. The festival showcased vibrant performances, cultural displays, local crafts, diverse culinary offerings, fashion shows, and nighttime illuminations, turning the venue into a lively celebration of India’s coastal identity. The enthusiastic participation from families, youth, artists, entrepreneurs, students, and visitors contributed to the festival's inclusive and memorable atmosphere.

Over the last decade, India’s maritime sector has experienced significant changes due to extensive policy and infrastructure reforms. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the country’s 12 major ports processed a record 855 million tonnes of cargo, while the average vessel turnaround time improved from 96 hours in 2014 to 49.5 hours in 2025, positioning Indian ports among the most efficient globally.

Nine Indian ports ranked in the global top 100, with Visakhapatnam making it into the top 20 for container traffic. This progress has been bolstered by the Sagarmala Programme, which has completed 272 projects valued at Rs 1.41 lakh crore, alongside a remarkable revival of inland waterways, where cargo movement surged over 700 percent to nearly 150 million tonnes annually.

With a coastline exceeding 11,000 km and 205 lighthouses, India is reimagining these historic maritime structures as vibrant tourism and cultural hubs.

In line with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the initiative has already seen the development of 75 lighthouses equipped with modern tourist amenities across 10 states and Union Territories, resulting in increased visitor numbers, job creation, and revitalized economic activity in coastal regions.

By

A Correspondent