In what comes as a Children’s Day gift to Chennaiites, the Union Shipping Ministry will throw open the gates of the city’s lighthouse from November 14 for children and tourists alike.
Shipping Minister G K Vasan made the announcement at an event where he distributed cheques worth `1.5 crore to beneficiaries identified under the corporate social responsibilities of the Ministry. He also distributed lump sum payments to the dependents of the deceased employees.
The idea was conceived by the Shipping Ministry to enable visitors to learn about maritime history, historical events and the country’s cultural heritage. The lighthouse on Marina Beach will be the first one in the State to entertain visitors, followed by Mamallapuram, which is expected to take a couple of months.
Vasan also said that work on the Chennai-Ennore port connectivity road (formerly EMRIP) was progressing well and was expected to be inaugurated by December. The project road network of 30.1 km covers Ennore Expressway (5.9 km), Thiruvottiur Ponneri Pancheti Road (9 km), Manali Oil Refinery Road (5.4 km), Northern segment of Inner Ring Road (8.1 km) and Inside Fishing Harbour Road (1.6 km).
He also warned that India-Sri Lanka ties would be affected if Sri Lanka continues to attack or arrest Tamil Nadu fishermen.
In addition to distributing cheques earlier, the Minister also gave away `19 lakh to meritorious students from schools like Nirmala Sishu Bhavan in Royapuram, Annai Illam in Mylapore, besides providing school bags and uniforms to needy students.