Indira point Lighthouse is situated on the Southern most tip of the Indian Territory and is an important landmark on the international ship lane on Colombo-Singapore route. Down south is Sumatra (Indonesia) separated by 60 miles of sea.
The enclave on which lighthouse stands, was previously known as Pygmalion point. It was renamed as Indira point in honour of the Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A helipad has been provided here for the VIPs. There are a number of stones erected here in memory of VIP’s visits. Indira point is part of Great Nicobar Island and is connected to Campbell bay port by a 45 km metalled road.
Of the 19 islands in Nicobar group, Great Nicobar is the largest. It has a number of mountains and hills - highest among them is Mt Thulier (642 m) and three perennial rivers-Galathia, Alexendria and Dogmar flow from these mountains. The island receives 3125 mm of rain fall as such it has dense forest cover-the cane and bamboo is in abundance here. The Shompens (150) and Great Nicobaris (250) are the aboriginals of this island. The ex-servicemen and other mainlanders have also been resettled here.
M/s BBT, Paris supplied the Cast iron Tower and the entire Lighting equipment consisting of 3rd Order optic assembly to be revolved by DA gas, mercury float pedestal system and lantern house, etc. The transportation of heavy Cast iron panels and equipment packages to this remote site and then the erection of tower consumed three work seasons which was followed by installation of equipments in 1971-72. The Lighthouse was inaugurated and commissioned into service on 30th April 1972 by then Vice President of India, Mr.G.S.Pathak.
Due to heavy salinity, the gas motor revolving system did not work long and the revolving optic had to be replaced by 500 mm cut and polished drum optic and DA gas burner, flasher and sun-valve in 1978. The ‘Racon’ of Marconi make and transmitting code ‘G’ was added on the LH tower on 25th February 1985. Subsequently the gas flasher was replaced by Electronic flasher and Halogen lamp operating on solar charged batteries, on 28th February 1996
During 98-2000 the scheme to upgrade the station was implemented. The diesel power generating sets and Radio beacon (MACE) equipment was installed at the station. Simultaneously the drum optic and light source was replaced by 300mm revolving 4 panel optic (BBT) and 230V 400W Metal Halide lamp. The Radio beacon transmission and the new system of light commenced functioning on 31st January 2000.
The DGPS equipment manufactured by M/s Leica Geo Systems, U.S.A. and supplied by M/s. Elcom Marine, Mumbai was integrated on 31stMay 2003 converting Radio Beacon to DGPS station. |
