State PCS - Karnataka (KPSC)

• 15 Jan 2026

Indian Lighthouse Festival Inaugurated in Visakhapatnam

Why in News? 

The 3rd Indian Lighthouse Festival was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam on January 9, 2026, by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

Key Points: 

• Tourism Push: The festival aims to transform historical lighthouses into vibrant tourist hubs to boost local economies. 
• New Projects: Plans were unveiled for Andhra Pradesh's first Lighthouse Museum in Vizag and four new lighthouses in the riverine areas of Assam. 
• MGM Park: The event featured cultural showcases, highlighting the maritime heritage of the "City of Destiny". 
• Maritime India Vision 2030: The festival aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 and the government’s strategy for tourism-led coastal development. 
• Sagarmala Programme: The transformation of lighthouses is a sub-component of port-led development and coastal community empowerment. 
• Significance: It reinforces the concept of lighthouse tourism as a unique niche, enhancing local livelihoods, cultural exchange, and sustainable tourism around India’s extensive shoreline.

Read More: Sagarmala Programme, Maritime India Vision 2030, Lighthouse Museum