The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways recently laid the foundation stones for four river lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River. 

• This marks the first time lighthouse infrastructure is being developed on an inland waterway in India.
• The project will be bringing coastal-grade navigational safety infrastructure to the Brahmaputra
• The project is implemented under the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, through collaboration between the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships and the Inland Waterways Authority of India.

Key Features of the River Lighthouse Project

• Total project cost: Approximately ₹84 crore.
• Height of each lighthouse: About 20 metres.
• Navigation range:
  • Geographical range: 14 nautical miles.
  • Luminous range: 8–10 nautical miles.
• Energy source: Fully solar-powered infrastructure.
• Location of the four lighthouses:
  • Bogibeel (Dibrugarh district)
  • Pandu (Kamrup Metro district)
  • Silghat (Nagaon district)
  • Biswanath Ghat (Biswanath district)

These locations lie along NW-2, one of India’s most important inland waterways for cargo and passenger transport.

Tourism and Public Infrastructure

Each lighthouse complex will also include:

• Museum and interpretation centre
• Amphitheatre and public spaces
• Cafeteria and souvenir shops
• Children’s play areas and landscaped parks

Thus, the sites will function both as navigation infrastructure and tourism hubs.

Significance for Northeast India

• Inland waterways transport costs significantly less than road or rail transport.
• Water transport produces lower carbon emissions, making it environmentally sustainable.
• Developing the Brahmaputra corridor will strengthen logistics for tea, coal, fertilizers and tourism industries in Assam.

This initiative aligns with the Government’s vision of expanding inland waterways as a green and cost-effective transport network.

Exam Hook

Consider the following statements regarding river lighthouses on the Brahmaputra:

1. They are being developed along National Waterway 2.
   
2. The project is implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.
   
3. The lighthouses will operate on solar energy.
   

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

One line wrap: India’s first inland river lighthouses on the Brahmaputra aim to enhance safe navigation, strengthen cargo transport and boost river tourism in Northeast India.

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