Context:

=> The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is to develop five light houses in the state of Odisha. Four districts have been identified.

About the Light Houses:

The Light Houses are to be built in Public – Private Partnership mode. The identified districts are as follows:

• Gopalpur lighthouse in Ganjam
• Paradip lighthouse in Jagatsinghpur
• False point lighthouse in Kendrapara
• Chandrabhaga lighthouse in Puri
• Puri lighthouse

Background:

India had identified 71 lighthouses to increase lighthouse tourism. The plan is to build open air theatre, cafeteria, museum, children’s park, landscaping and eco – friendly cottages in these light houses.

Part of Marine Aids to Navigation 2021:

The Odisha Light house tourism being developed is a part of Marine aids to Navigation 2021. Under the aid, the development was to be brought in the states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The aid will help develop the lighthouses into tourism destinations. It will preserve the historical and traditional values of the lighthouses.

Science behind light houses:

Lighthouses serve as a navigational aid for the maritime pilots. It is tower that emits light. Today, the lighthouses hold rotating aerobeacons or laser light. If the light is continuous, it is weaker for the observe. On the other hand, light at shorter intervals of time is brighter. Some of the modern lighthouses have Racon transponders. They have unique radar signature.

Who maintains Light houses?

The lighthouses are maintained by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and lightships. He or she function under the Ministry of Shipping.

Types of light houses:

There are two types. Some are located on the land and some are located offshore. The land lighthouse aids navigation over land than water. They mainly help during winter fogs.

Tallest Lighthouse:

The Jeddah port control tower is the tallest lighthouse in the world. It is 133 metres tall. The tallest lighthouse in India is located in Jakhau port of Gujarat. It is 45 metres tall.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED