A New Era of Maritime Safety and Tourism in North East India
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, recently announced the construction of four new lighthouses along the Brahmaputra river in Assam. This development is part of the Centre's commitment to promote lighthouse tourism and strengthen maritime safety, heritage, and tourism across the country.
Boosting Navigational Safety on Inland Waterways
The new lighthouses will be built at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu, and Biswanathghat, enhancing navigational safety on inland waterways. This move comes as India's maritime sector has witnessed significant transformation over the past decade, with 12 major ports handling a record 855 million tonnes of cargo in 2024-25. The average vessel turnaround time has also been reduced from 96 hours in 2014 to 49.5 hours in 2025.
Revitalizing Maritime Heritage and Tourism
The construction of these lighthouses is not just about safety; it's also about preserving and promoting maritime heritage. India, with a coastline of over 11,000 km and 205 lighthouses, is reimagining these historic maritime sentinels as vibrant tourism and cultural destinations. Already, 75 lighthouses have been developed with modern tourist facilities, leading to a sharp rise in footfall, job creation, and renewed economic activity in coastal communities.
Implications for North East India and Beyond
For the North East region, these new lighthouses represent a significant step towards boosting tourism and economic growth. The region's rich cultural heritage, combined with its stunning natural beauty, makes it an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. The construction of these lighthouses could potentially increase the region's visibility, encouraging more tourists to explore its offerings.
Looking Forward
The Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 at Visakhapatnam was a testament to the vibrant performances, cultural expressions, local crafts, culinary diversity, fashion presentations, and night-time illumination that make India's coastal identity unique. As we look forward, the construction of these new lighthouses along the Brahmaputra river promises to further enrich this celebration of India's maritime heritage and tourism.