Development and Structural Reinforcement Plan for Indira Point

Development and Structural Reinforcement Plan for Indira Point

#GS-1 #Geography #Physical Geography #GS-3 #Infrastructure #Environment #Current Events #National

Why in News

  • The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways requested CRZ clearances to strengthen the lighthouse at Indira Point and develop a tourist hub.

About The Indira Point

  • Indira Point serves as the absolute southernmost point of sovereign Indian territory and features a 35-meter cast-iron lighthouse for marine navigation.
  • The site lies on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island inside the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory.
  • It sits right next to Galathea Bay, where India plans to construct an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP).

Origin and Nomenclature History

  • During the British colonial era and early independence years, people called this location Pygmalion Point or Parsons Point.
  • The landmark was officially renamed Indira Point in 1985 following the visit of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
  • The government constructed and commissioned the cast-iron lighthouse tower in April 1972 to secure Indian maritime borders.

Key Features

  • The 2004 tsunami caused permanent land subsidence of 2.04 meters, leaving the lighthouse base underwater and tilted by 3.86 degrees.
  • The site is classified as an ecologically sensitive ICRZ-1A zone to protect mangroves, coral reefs, sand dunes, and leatherback turtle nesting sites.
  • Experts from IIT Madras created a restoration blueprint including a breakwater, causeway, powerhouse, and elevated quarters.
  • The government plans to build eco-friendly infrastructure including a viewing tower, maritime museum, convention center, cafeteria, cycle tracks, and a national memorial.

Significance

  • Restoring this point strengthens India Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims and solidifies its naval presence in the eastern Indian Ocean.
  • Upgrading the lighthouse ensures safer navigation for international cargo ships travelling toward the proposed Galathea Bay Transshipment Port.