Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 Concludes in Visakhapatnam
The Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0, a two-day event in Visakhapatnam, celebrated India's maritime heritage and coastal culture.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced new initiatives to boost lighthouse tourism, including the development of 25 more lighthouses and the establishment of a Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam.
The festival featured vibrant performances, cultural expressions, and local crafts, attracting families, youth, artists, and entrepreneurs.
On the sidelines, Sonowal launched port infrastructure projects worth ₹230 crore to enhance safety, ship repair capabilities, and residential facilities at Visakhapatnam Port.
The event highlighted the success of lighthouse tourism in creating jobs and promoting maritime awareness, with plans to develop more lighthouses and improve port efficiency.
The Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 concluded in Visakhapatnam, celebrating India's maritime heritage and coastal culture.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced new initiatives to boost lighthouse tourism, including the development of 25 more lighthouses and a Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam.
The festival featured vibrant performances, cultural expressions, and local crafts, attracting a diverse audience.
Sonowal launched port infrastructure projects worth ₹230 crore to enhance safety, ship repair capabilities, and residential facilities at Visakhapatnam Port.
The event highlighted the success of lighthouse tourism in creating jobs and promoting maritime awareness, with plans to develop more lighthouses and improve port efficiency.
- Who
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Vijaya Kumar (Secretary of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways), and other dignitaries
- What
- Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 and the launch of port infrastructure projects
- When
- 10 January, 2026
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- To celebrate India's maritime heritage, promote lighthouse tourism, and enhance port infrastructure
Government and Maritime Industry Stakeholders
General Public and Coastal Communities
Lighthouse Tourism Development
Government and Maritime Industry Stakeholders
Government and maritime industry stakeholders view lighthouse tourism as a means to boost economic activity, create jobs, and enhance maritime safety and heritage preservation.
General Public and Coastal Communities
The general public and coastal communities benefit from increased tourism, cultural activities, and improved infrastructure, which can lead to better livelihoods and a stronger connection to maritime heritage.
- Event
- Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0
- Location
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Duration
- Two days
- Key Speaker
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
- New Initiatives
- Development of 25 more lighthouses as tourism destinations, construction of four new lighthouses along National Waterway-2 in Assam, establishment of a Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam
- Port Infrastructure Projects
- ₹230 crore worth of projects including fire-fighting facility upgrades, ORS Dry Dock development, Administrative Office Building construction, and residential apartments for port employees
- Maritime Achievements
- India's 12 major ports handled 855 million tonnes of cargo in 2024-25, with average vessel turnaround time reduced to 49.5 hours
- Lighthouse Tourism Growth
- 75 lighthouses developed as tourism destinations, with plans to develop 25 more
