Question : Development of Lighthouses for Tourism

(a) whether the Government proposes to develop lighthouses across the country as tourist destinations, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to develop land adjacent to lighthouses as tourist destinations, if so, the details thereof and details of land acquired for the purpose State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government aims at developing lighthouses in partnership with the private sector and if so, the details thereof and the action plan formulated for the purpose; and
(d) whether any of the existing lighthouses operational across the country are functioning as viable tourist destinations and receiving substantial number of tourists, if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATEIN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) Yes, Madam. There is a plan to develop 78 lighthouses across the country as tourist destinations through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode without compromising with the primary mandate of lighthouses which is to provide Aids to Navigation.

For 8 Lighthouses out of the total 78 lighthouses the Request For Qualification (RFQ) has been called for. After scrutiny of the RFQ, qualified applicants will be asked to submit the Request for Proposal (RFP). Expression of Interest (EOI) has been called for remaining 70 lighthouses.

(b) No, Madam.

(c) Yes, Madam. The development is proposed to be done through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in which funding will be borne by the private entities selected for executing lighthouse tourism infrastructure. The private developers would be selected through the action plan given at (a) above.

(d) Yes, Madam. Four lighthouses located at Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Cannanore and Alleppy are already functioning as viable tourist destinations receiving an average footfall of more than 2.63 lakhs tourists per annum.

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