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The Visakhapatnam Port Trust and the Visakha Container Terminal (VCTPL) have restored the old lighthouse on the beach road here. The heritage structure was thrown open to the public on Friday.
It was the pride of Visakhapatnam’s standing testimony to the rich marine traditions of the city. “It is the first text-book restoration work in the city,” said PV Prasad, Convenor of Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), thanking the Port and VCTPL for taking keen interest in the restoration work.
“We are proud to be associated with the proper restoration of a genuinely historical monument,” VCTPL Managing Director Vir Kotak said.
“We took up the work and gladly spent the amounts required,” he added.
Vizag port trust Chairman Krishna Babu said monuments and their architecture reflect the culture of the earlier generations and “any work to preserve our heritage is welcome.”
History of the monument The 59-foot masonry tower was built in 1903 to help guide ships into the harbour. The dome and lantern of the lighthouse were from the lighthouse at Chantilly or Chintappal, 18 km from Bheemunipatnam.
The light house had a gas-fired white dioptre light of the second order, with brightness levels of 45,000 candles. It flashed every 20 seconds and was visible from 12 miles in clear weather.
During World War II, there were two anti-aircraft guns set up next to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse went into disuse in 1962 and after that the building itself went into disrepair.
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