Coastal resorts are a big favourite with both domestic and international tourists. So how about a dinner under the moonlight by an 18th century lighthouse with the sound of the waves lapping the shoreline? Tourists can soon experience this and a lot more in a beach resort planned at the Muttom Lighthouse in Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.
Tenders will soon be called for the construction of 60 cottages by the Noida-based Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships. The Directorate has administrative control of the entire national coastline, which is divided into nine districts ranging from Gandhidam to Port Blair.
A restaurant-cum-food court, coffee shop and recreational centre are among the facilities that the department has included.
First such resort
“This will be the first such lighthouse in the country to get such facilities. It will be constructed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
All the required approvals, including under the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) rules, have been obtained and sent to the Union Shipping Ministry for final approval,” said D. Venkatraman, Director-Chennai Region, Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships.
The Britsh-era Muttom Lighthouse is 15.22 m tall and situated 34 m above sea level. Construction began in 1857 and the structure was completed in 1882. The lighthouse guided vessels sailing between Colombo and ports along India’s west coast. It was formally commissioned on January 1, 1910.
The Muttom Lighthouse is about 20 km from Nagercoil and 10 km from the tourist spot of Eraniel. There are several beaches nearby. It is still functional and guides fishermen and passing ships. Guests are allowed up the lighthouse and can get a view after a quick climb.
A laser show
Mr. Venkatraman said that work would also begin to have a laser show at the Mamallapuram Lighthouse at a cost of ₹6 crore. “This, too, will be under the PPP mode. The show will highlight the history of Mamallapuram. We expect it to be ready in a couple of months,” he said.
The lighthouse in Mamallapuram, like the one in Chennai, witnesses footfalls of 15,000-18,000 visitors every month.