Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan today inaugurated a project aimed at promoting tourism in lighthouses.
The Rs 300 crore project would cover 13 lighthouses in the country.
"Lighthouses not only guide vessels but also are friends (of them)..A new chapter is beginning in this direction..." Vasan said after unveiling a plaque as part of the inaugurating the project at the Chennai Port here.
He said the UPA government at the Centre was proactive in developing Port Trusts and light houses present in the country.
"The coastline across South India runs for 7,500 kms and there about 180 light houses. Of these, Tamil Nadu has 21.
Three new lighthouses at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore each would be set up at Marakkanam, Venbam and Koothangudi in the state.
By upgrading the light houses, Vasan said it would not only become tourist spots but also help creating job opportunities besides benefiting the locals.
He said the Shipping Ministry would spent about Rs 50 crore for establishing a National Heritage Maritime Museum at Mahabalipuram.
Besides a Lighthouse Museum on the famous Marina beach in Chennai would be set up at a cost of Rs five crore, he said.
The Lighthouses that would be covered under the upgradation programme include Rameswaram Light House, Muttam-Kanyakumari Lighthouse, Dolphin Nose Light House in Andhra Pradesh and Kadalur Point in Kerala.
Besides the Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, Aguada Light House in Goa, Veraval and Dwarka in Gujarat, Gopalpur, Chandrabhag, False Point Light House in Orissa Chennai and Mahabalipuram would also be covered under the modernisation programme.
Vasan also inaugurated an exhibition on the history of lighthouses and released two booklets on Mahabalipuram and Kadalur point light houses.
