Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday laid the foundation stones for four riverine lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, marking the first time lighthouse infrastructure will be developed on an inland waterway in India.
The ceremony was held at Lachit Ghat and organised jointly by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Locations and Investment
The four riverine lighthouses will be constructed at:
- Bogibeel
- Pandu
- Silghat
- Biswanath Ghat
These locations lie along the National Waterway 2, which follows the Brahmaputra River.
The project involves a total investment of about ₹84 crore.
Key Features of the Lighthouses
- Height: Around 20 metres
- Geographical range: 14 nautical miles
- Luminous range: 8–10 nautical miles
- Power source: Solar energy
- Additional features: Equipped with weather observation sensors to support 24-hour navigation
Project Background
The lighthouse project follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 8, 2025, between Inland Waterways Authority of India and Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships for developing navigation infrastructure at the four sites.
The land for the project was formally transferred to DGLL in June 2025, and the lighthouses are expected to be completed within 24 months after the award of contracts.
About National Waterway-2
National Waterway 2 stretches about 891 kilometres from Dhubri to Sadiya along the Brahmaputra River. It is the longest navigable stretch of any inland waterway in India and plays a vital role in connecting the northeastern states with national and international trade routes.
Source: PIB
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