A 50-metre high lighthouse
is coming up in nearby Dhanushkodi as part of measures to develop the town, devastated by a deadly cyclone five decades, as a major tourist attraction.
Laying the foundation stone for the Rs 7 crore project at Dhanushkodi on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya said it would give a fillip to tourism in the region and generate employment opportunities besides helping in keeping a vigil on the coastline.
A lift facility would be provided in the lighthouse for the benefit public who can have a panoramic view of the Rameswaram island. A children's park would also be set up as part of tourism promotion measures, he said.
Dhanukshodi, at the southern tip of this island, came to be called a "Ghost town" after the once thriving export centre to neighbouring Sri Lanka was flattened by the cyclone on December 22, 1964.
Various measures, including a sound and light show, have been proposed in the town to promote it as a tourist centre.
The proposed lighthouse would be the third in Ramanathapuram district after those in Pamban and Rameswaram, sources said.
Mandaviya said steps were being taken by both central and state governments to develop the Ramanathapuram district.
Talking about 'Sagarmala', a flagship programme of the shipping ministry, he said the Centre expected frieght traffic to increase.
The Minister earlier visited the memorial of former president A P J Abdul Kalam here.
He also offered prayers at the Lord Ramanathaswamy temple in the island town.
Later, speaking at a meeting organised by the BJP in support of CAA, he said the Citizenship Amended Act was not against Muslims in the country.
"Those protesting against the amended law are ignorant of the reality," he said.
Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha MP Nawasgani were among those present at the lighthouse foundation ceremony.
The MP said the new lighthouse will also help fishermen from the region and prevent them from crossing into Sri Lankan waters.
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