Kerala - Alappuzha   

Entry rates for lighthouse revised

ALAPPUZHA: The 146-year-old lighthouse here, which was declared open to the public recently, will now be open for still cameras and video cameras as well with new entry tariffs fixed.

The permission for cameras and the revised entry rates came into effect from Thursday as per an order from the Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, Chennai.

The changes are applicable to four other lighthouses at Kovilthottam, Thangasseri, Anjengo and Vizhinjam, which also fall under the jurisdiction of the Chennai Lighthouse Region.

Accordingly, still cameras will be charged Rs.20 while amateur video photography will be charged Rs.25. The revised entry rates for people are Rs.10 for adults (previously Rs.5), Rs.3 for children and Rs.25 for foreign nationals. The lighthouse will be open to the public from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on all days.

The Alappuzha Lighthouse, which is the first one raised on the west coast of the country, was completed in 1861 and initially had a coconut oil double-wick lamp light-source, which was supplied by Chance Bros., Birmingham.

This was installed and commissioned into service on March 28, 1862.

The same equipment continued to be used till 1952 when it was replaced by a gas flasher. In 1960, an electric revolving optic system supplied by BBT, Paris was fixed.

The light of the 28 metre-high circular masonry tower is 33 metres above mean sea level and has a range of 25 nautical miles.

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Entry rates for lighthouse revised

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