3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival Opens in Visakhapatnam

13 Jan 2026 CW Team

Held along the Visakhapatnam coastline, the festival features traditional cuisine, cultural performances, theatre, interactive zones and coastal delicacies. The opening night witnessed a vibrant Kuchipudi performance by Natya Sannidhaalaya, set against illuminated lighthouses, drawing over 3,500 visitors and creating a strong cultural and tourist turnout.

Addressing the gathering, Venkaiah Naidu said lighthouses are no longer limited to navigation but are evolving into centres of culture, community engagement and economic activity. He highlighted the role of lighthouse tourism in promoting local coastal traditions and supporting regional development, noting that 10 of Andhra Pradesh’s 17 lighthouses have been developed for tourism.

Sarbananda Sonowal said the festival aims to transform iconic lighthouse sites into vibrant tourism and cultural hubs by actively involving coastal communities. He added that developing lighthouses as festive destinations creates employment, supports local enterprises and strengthens sustainable growth in coastal regions.

A key highlight of the opening day was the participation of over 40 self-help group stalls from across Andhra Pradesh, showcasing handicrafts, indigenous products and coastal cuisine, reinforcing community participation and women-led entrepreneurship. Cultural performances from North Eastern states further added to the festival’s diversity, reflecting India’s rich regional heritage.

With more than 11,000 km of coastline and 205 lighthouses, India is repositioning these historic structures as tourism and cultural assets. The Indian Lighthouse Festival, organised by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, continues to play a central role in promoting maritime awareness, heritage conservation and coastal tourism development.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The third edition of the Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated recently in Visakhapatnam by former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, marking the start of a two-day celebration blending culture, tourism and maritime heritage. Held along the Visakhapatnam coastline, the festival features traditional cuisine, cultural performances, theatre, interactive zones and coastal delicacies. The opening night witnessed a vibrant Kuchipudi performance by Natya Sannidhaalaya, set against illuminated lighthouses, drawing over 3,500 visitors and creating a strong cultural and tourist turnout. Addressing the gathering, Venkaiah Naidu said lighthouses are no longer limited to navigation but are evolving into centres of culture, community engagement and economic activity. He highlighted the role of lighthouse tourism in promoting local coastal traditions and supporting regional development, noting that 10 of Andhra Pradesh’s 17 lighthouses have been developed for tourism. Sarbananda Sonowal said the festival aims to transform iconic lighthouse sites into vibrant tourism and cultural hubs by actively involving coastal communities. He added that developing lighthouses as festive destinations creates employment, supports local enterprises and strengthens sustainable growth in coastal regions. A key highlight of the opening day was the participation of over 40 self-help group stalls from across Andhra Pradesh, showcasing handicrafts, indigenous products and coastal cuisine, reinforcing community participation and women-led entrepreneurship. Cultural performances from North Eastern states further added to the festival’s diversity, reflecting India’s rich regional heritage. With more than 11,000 km of coastline and 205 lighthouses, India is repositioning these historic structures as tourism and cultural assets. The Indian Lighthouse Festival, organised by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, continues to play a central role in promoting maritime awareness, heritage conservation and coastal tourism development.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..