Come July next year, the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse off the Mumbai coast will be a new destination for tourists visiting the country’s commercial centre.
Christened after the famous Maratha Admiral — Kanhoji Angre — the lighthouse is located on Kanhoji Angre Island, which was previously known as Kennery Island or Khanderi Island. An offshoot hillock of the Western Ghats, the Island is situated opposite the Thal fishing port near Alibaug, 9 nautical miles away from the Gateway of India and serves as an important landmark at the entrance to Mumbai
harbour. Briefing mediapersons about the ongoing work to develop the historic lighthouse, Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said that the development of infrastructural facilities at the Kanhoji Angre Island — where the lighthouse is located — would be completed within 10 months.
“While developing the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse and 14 other lighthouses across the country as new tourist destinations, we will adopt an eco-friendly approach. My ministry is extending financial assistance to the project,” Chiranjeevi said, as he addressed a joint news conference with Minister of State for Shipping, Milind Deora, at the Port Trust headquarters here on Saturday.
Deora said the development of Kanhoji Angre lighthouse included conservation of lighthouse and viewing gallery, conservation of fort wall, creation of tent-style accommodation, construction of jetty and passenger terminal and electrification through solar power system.
On the emergence of lighthouses as a potential tourist attraction across the country, Chiranjeevi said, “In the first phase, we are developing the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse, the lighthouse at the Dolphin Nose Point in Visakhapatnam and the one located at the Mamallapuram near Chennai, as pilot projects. Being the only watchtower located mid-sea, Kanhoji lighthouse stands out amongst the three”.
The history of Kanhoji Angre lighthouse dates back to the 19th century. The initial large wick lamp and optic assembly was supplied by M/s Chance Brothers, Birmingham. In 1930, the wick lamp was replaced by a PV burner.