The three Button islands have derived the name ‘Button’ by their size – they are the tiny islets on the eastern side of middle Andamans. The North Button islet is approachable by Lighthouse tender M.V. Pradeep.
Since there was no beacon in the region the ships sailing from Port Blair to Calcutta had to take a longer route at a safe distance eastward from these islands. After the establishment of the lighted beacons on Button islands, the vessels could also take the shorter route and sane on journey time.
The erection of 12 m high GI trestle was completed in February 1983 and the DA gas light with sun valve was installed on it in April 1983 which was commissioned on 24th April 1983. It was replaced by electronic flasher, halogen lamp and batteries charged by solar energy in 1996. The new system was put into operation on 28th February 1996. |
