The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday launched a campaign to transform 75 historic Lighthouses into Tourism Spots when he inaugurated three revamped lighthouses in Dwarka, Gopnath & Veraval that were transformed as tourist destinations at Dwarka, Gujarat today. The historic lighthouses were renovated with adequate facilities to act as tourist spots.
This marks the beginning of the campaign by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) to transform 75 historic lighthouses across India into tourism spots. This is in line with the visionary approach of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to transform India’s distinctive lighthouses into captivating tourist sites. The initiative aims to showcase the rich culture, significance, and allure of these magnificent structures whereby they can propel the prospect of tourism and power the local economy.
Speaking on the occasion Sonowal, said, “It is a historic moment as we launch a campaign to transform India’s iconic lighthouses as potential tourism spots propelling the economies of scale locally as well as boosting the tourism sector of India. Our dynamic leader, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has spoken about the unique appeal of lighthouses and their potential as tourist attractions during the 75th episode of Mann Ki Baat. With Modi ji’s guidance, this campaign is aimed at rejuvenating our lighthouses to become centers of attraction for tourists and witness the beauty of India’s magnificent natural beauty. We believe that these transformed lighthouses will create a vibrant tourist destination showcasing India’s rich & unique heritage to the world.”
Earlier, The Union Minister attended the CII B20 Meet at Surat where he spoke and interacted with the leading members of the business community. Shri Sonowal highlighted key achievements of Narendra Modi Government in the past 9 years in different aspects of the society, economy and cultural aspects of India. The Shipping Minister also called upon the business leaders to invest in the rich inland waterways sector of India in the both B2B as well as B2C businesses. Shri Sonowal called upon the business houses to opt inland waterways, which is an economical, environmentally safer option, for movement of their cargo. Following the mammoth success of Ganga Vilas, the longest river cruise in the world, He also called upon for investment in the rich river cruise tourism sector through novel river cruise experiences which can be ‘Narmada Vilas’, ‘Godavari Vilas’, ‘Mahanadi Vilas’, ‘Cauvery Vilas’ and others.
Speaking about the scope and opportunity to utilise Inland Waterways sector for transformational changes The Union Minister added, “I take this opportunity to call all business leaders to come forward & jointly develop new river cruising experiences in India. We must have ‘Narmada Vilas’, ‘Godavari Vilas’, ‘Mahanadi Vilas’, ‘Cauvery Vilas’ & many more river cruises all across our river-rich nation. For movement of your cargo, take advantage of the inland waterways which is extremely economical and Eco-friendly mode of transportation that was revived under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”
The CII meet was also attended by Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State, Government of Gujarat; Shri Tom Moses, Executive Vice President, Gemological Institute of America; Darshan Shah, Chairman, CII Gujarat; Kulin Lalbhai, Vice-Chairman, CII Gujarat among other dignitaries and business leaders of the region.
