At least three new lighthouses will be constructed in the Orissa coast, taking the total number in the state to eight.
The new lighthouses are proposed at Prayagi in Ganjam district, Debi Point in Kendrapada district and Mayipur in Bhadrak district.
While the lighthouse at Prayagi is under construction, Kendrapara and Bhadrak projects would be taken up after getting environment clearance. This was stated by Deputy Director-General, Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships under the Ministry of Shipping, Surface Transport, Mr J.S. Chauhan at Gopalpur today.
Five lighthouses at present operate at Gopalpur, Chandrabhaga, Puri, Paradip and False Point. The construction of the lighthouse at Prayagi was under full swing and scheduled to be opened in December, he said. Around Rs 1.20 crore would be spent for the construction of about 30 meter high tower at Prayagi, 45 km from here.
Although the Government has sanctioned for construction of the other two proposed lighthouses at Mayipur and Debi Pont, they were yet to get the environment clearance, he said.