“Agenda to set up one lighthouse every 30 nautical miles

he Central government's agenda is to set up one lighthouse every 30 nautical miles along the maritime route in the country, said Union Minister for Shipping G. K. Vasan at Manora near Mallipattinam in Thanjavur district on Friday.

He inaugurated the Poompuhar lighthouse and differential global positioning system (DGPS) for Rameswaram at a meeting in Manora. At the same meeting, Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palani Manickam dedicated the Mallipattinam lighthouse to the nation.

Goals to be achieved

Mr. Vasan said the goals of the agenda would be achieved within a period of five years. He said that a new lighthouse would be built at Marakkanam in Villupuram district and Vembar in Tuticorin district.

In response to a demand by Vembar panchayat, a feasibility study had been conducted and a sum of Rs.2.5 crore had been allotted for establishing the lighthouse at Vembar. It would be useful to the fishermen of Vembar.

Automatic identity system

Mr. Vasan also said that to monitor ships and boats within a radius of 25 nautical miles, an automatic identity system (AIS) is being established.

A sum of Rs.131 crore had been allotted for the purpose. Radar system is also installed in lighthouses.

The Minister said that 95 per cent of the trade in the country was seaborne. Lighthouses are very important for safe sailing of ships both big and small.

They are called the lamppost of the ocean. In Tamil Nadu alone, in the last four years, five lighthouses had been constructed.

Outlay

The Mallipattinam lighthouse has been constructed at a cost of Rs.2.05 crore. Its height is 45 m and the light is visible for a radius of 21 nautical miles.

The Poompuhar lighthouse had been constructed at a cost of Rs.1.65 crore, with a height of 30 m. Its light is visible up to 20 nautical miles. The Rameswaram DGPS had been constructed at a cost of Rs.2.53 crore.