The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, announced that four new lighthouses will be constructed along the Brahmaputra River in Assam to promote lighthouse tourism and improve inland navigation safety.

Key announcement

• Four new lighthouses will be built along National Waterway–2 (Brahmaputra) at:
  • Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu & Biswanathghat.
• The announcement was made during the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 held at Visakhapatnam.

Why are lighthouses important on inland waterways?

• Navigational safety: Lighthouses act as visual aids for vessels, especially during fog, floods, and night navigation.
• Inland water transport boost: The Brahmaputra is one of India’s most important inland waterways, crucial for Assam and the Northeast.
• Tourism and heritage: Lighthouses are being reimagined as cultural and tourism assets, not just navigation structures.

Lighthouse tourism

• India has over 205 lighthouses and a coastline of more than 11,000 kilometres.
• Under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, lighthouses are being developed as:
  • Tourist destinations
  • Cultural spaces
  • Local employment generators
• So far, 75 lighthouses across 10 states and Union Territories have been upgraded with modern tourist facilities.

Maritime and inland waterway progress of India

• In 2024–25, India’s major ports handled 855 million tonnes of cargo.
• Average vessel turnaround time reduced from 96 hours (2014) to 49.5 hours (2025).
• Inland waterway cargo movement has increased by over 700 percent, reaching nearly 150 million tonnes annually.
• The Sagarmala Programme has completed 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore.

Why this matters for Assam and the Northeast

• Strengthens Brahmaputra-based transport and trade.
• Opens up river tourism opportunities for local communities.
• Integrates Assam into the national maritime and inland water transport strategy.

Exam Hook 

Q. With reference to lighthouse tourism in India, consider the following statements:

1. Lighthouses are being developed as tourism and cultural destinations under Maritime India Vision 2030.
2. National Waterway–2 refers to the Brahmaputra River.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

One-line wrap:
By bringing lighthouses to the Brahmaputra, India is blending navigation safety with tourism-led development on inland waterways.

SOURCE