Visakhapatnam to get Andhra Pradesh’s first lighthouse Museum: Sarbananda Sonowal

Andhra Pradesh is set to establish its first-ever Lighthouse Museum in Visakhapatnam , Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Tuesday. The announcement was made at the valedictory session of the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 , held in Visakhapatnam.

The museum will be developed at the old lighthouse site within the Visakhapatnam Port premises . An agreement to this effect has been signed between the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the Directorate General of Lighthouses , the Minister said. The project aims to preserve India’s maritime heritage while promoting tourism along the coastline.

Highlighting the growing popularity of lighthouse tourism, Sonowal said that visitor numbers at lighthouse tourism destinations across the country have increased five-fold over the past decade . He noted that around 50,000 people visited the festival in just two days , reflecting the public’s increasing interest in lighthouses. He emphasised that lighthouses are no longer limited to navigation purposes alone but are emerging as centres of culture, community engagement and economic activity .

The Union Minister informed that 75 lighthouses are currently being developed nationwide and assured that more locations in Andhra Pradesh will be identified and developed as tourism hubs in the coming days.

The festival, inaugurated by former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu , attracted large crowds from start to finish. Cultural programmes were a major highlight, featuring Kuchipudi performances and folk art forms from the North-Eastern states , which captivated audiences. More than 40 Self-Help Group stalls showcased handicrafts and local products , underlining the theme of women empowerment . Decorative lighting on the lighthouses and interactive zones transformed the Visakhapatnam coastline into a vibrant attraction .

The upcoming Lighthouse Museum will be developed as a centre for maritime heritage and the history of navigation . It will showcase rare photographs, documents and archival material tracing the evolution of lighthouses in India. Vintage lighthouse lenses, lamps and signalling equipment will also be on display.

To enhance public awareness of modern navigation, the museum will feature interactive exhibits on GPS, radar systems and automated lighthouse technologies . A dedicated section will explain the critical role of lighthouses in maritime safety, accident prevention and coastal security .

Additionally, a gallery highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s coastal culture, port development and the lifestyle of fishing communities will be set up. The museum will include an educational centre for students and youth , focusing on maritime science and navigation. Special experience zones for children will be created to make learning about lighthouses engaging, while a tourist information centre will provide details on lighthouses and major tourist destinations along the eastern coast .