Tourists can now take a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea as well as the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse in Maharashtra, which is slated to be developed as a tourist destination for domestic and global visitors.
Kanhoji Angre lighthouse is one of the 15 heritage lighthouses chosen by Tourism Ministry along with Shipping Ministry to be developed as a tourist site in the country.
Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has held discussions with Shipping Minister G K Vasan and Minister of State for Shipping Milind Deora and agreed to provide Central Financial Assistance for the development of the 15 heritage lighthouses as tourist destinations.
There are about 180 lighthouses in the country. Out of the 15 lighthouses having historical importance, the one at Konhoji Angere will be taken up for development in the first phase.
"We are supporting the construction of a boat jetty and passenger terminal at Konhoji Angere lighthouse," a senior Tourism Ministry official said.
The Konhoji Angere island is situated nine nautical miles away from the Gateway of India, Mumbai. Once the jetty is built, Mumbaikars and domestic as well as international tourists will get a new day-trip destination.
The Tourism and Shipping ministries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to carry forward the development works of the 15 heritage lighthouses in the country shortly.
Both ministries are of the opinion that the development of such lighthouses will not only protect national heritage, but also help in developing new tourism destinations.
The development of the lighthouses will help evince new interest among the youth about maritime history. The effort will give a new impetus to nurturing cruise tourism in the country too.
