Visakhapatnam will host Lighthouse Festival 3.0 on January 9 and 10 under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, with an aim to promote maritime heritage, boost lighthouse tourism and actively involve coastal communities.
As part of the festival, a series of cultural performances and special programmes will be organised daily from 6 pm onwards, showcasing the region’s coastal culture and traditions.
A review meeting to assess preparations for the event was chaired by Joint Collector K Mayur Ashok on Wednesday, in the presence of the Lighthouse Deputy Director General and senior port officials. Addressing the meeting, Mayur Ashok said the festival would be organised on a grander scale in Visakhapatnam, drawing from the successful conduct of similar events earlier in Goa and Puri.
The celebrations will be attended by former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Tourism Minister Suresh Gopi, State Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, along with local MPs, MLAs, MLCs, other public representatives and senior officials.
Officials were instructed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, maintain sanitation, set up a medical camp, provide drinking water and basic amenities, arrange bus services, and ensure wide publicity through mainstream and social media.
Expressing confidence that the festival would further enhance Visakhapatnam’s tourism profile, the Joint Collector urged district and port authorities to work in close coordination for the smooth conduct of the event.
The meeting was attended by Lighthouse Deputy Director General Veerendra Yadav, Visakhapatnam Port Secretary Samba Murthy, CAO Ramana Murthy, Deputy Chief Engineer Vikash, Visakhapatnam RDO Sudha Sagar, and officials from GVMC, RTC, electricity, police, fire services and other departments.