Mumbai Port to develop Kanhoji Angre lighthouse: Nitin Gadkari

MUMBAI: Union shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari today said the Mumbai Port Trust will invest Rs 47 crore to develop the Khanderi island off Alibag coast, south of Mumbai, as a tourist attraction.

The island houses a fort built by the Portuguese, and an over 100 years old lighthouse, now named for Kanhoji Angre who headed King Shivaji's navy.

"The Mumbai Port Trust will invest Rs 47 crore to develop the Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse as a tourist destination," Gadkari told reporters here.

He added that, Rs 17 crore will be spent for building a jetty, while the balance will go towards tourist facilities on the island, which will include restaurants, camp sites, accommodation rooms and upgradation of the fort.

There would also be a sound-and-light show depicting the life and times of Shivaji, Gadkari said.

The project, conceived by the former MoS shipping Milind Deora, will start in October and is expected to be complete by next May.

Ferry services will be started from the Gateway of India here to take the people to the island which is around 10 nautical miles away from Mumbai, Gadkari said.

The union minister had said a few days ago that his ministry plans to throw open over 300 lighthouses across the country for tourism.