Andhra Pradesh’s first lighthouse museum to be built in Visakhapatnam

January 11, 2026

Andhra Pradesh: Visakhapatnam (Vizag) will soon host Andhra Pradesh’s first lighthouse museum. This announcement was made by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal during the Indian Lighthouse Festival held in the city. The initiative aims to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage, preserve the relics associated with historic lighthouses, and promote tourism.

In addition, a Maritime Education and Tourism Promotion Center will also be established in a lighthouse in Vizag, further strengthening the port city’s position as a major center of naval heritage.

Tourism gets a new impetus at the Lighthouse Festival

This announcement has added significant enthusiasm to the Lighthouse Festival. Featuring laser light shows, cultural performances, stalls, and family entertainment activities, the festival successfully attracted a large number of students, artists, local residents, and tourists.

Minister Sonowal noted that lighthouse tourism has seen a significant increase across the country. In 2014, approximately 400,000 lighthouse visitors visited, and this number has now risen to nearly 2 million. He stated that this has been made possible by the conversion of 75 lighthouses into tourist destinations, and plans are underway to develop 25 more such sites soon.

Mention of Prime Minister Modi’s vision for maritime heritage conservation

The Union Minister attributed this initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for preserving and reviving India’s maritime heritage. He also noted that in January 2027, India will host the International Lighthouse Authorities General Assembly for the first time, with representatives from 42 countries participating.

National-level maritime projects will also be developed

Along with the Lighthouse Museum in Vizag, the ₹4,500 crore National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat, is also an important step in this direction. Spread across 375 acres, this project will include a magnificent 77-meter-high lighthouse, symbolizing India’s maritime past, present, and future.

Minister of State Suresh Gopi praised the policy of developing lighthouses as community-centered hubs. He said that these centers will give a new direction to tourism and culture by integrating education, heritage conservation, and local economic development.

A magnificent tribute to India’s maritime soul!

​Honored to join the 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival in Vizag. Realizing PM @narendramodi ji’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ by transforming lighthouses into vibrant tourist hubs & boosting the Blue Economy. pic.twitter.com/FTHMEjq1jz

— Suressh Gopi (@TheSureshGopi) January 10, 2026