NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday launched an online payment system of light dues, which is to be remitted to as many as 198 light houses across the country in lieu of the navigational aids provided to ships, to ensure faster clearance of ships and reduction in detention time of vessels.
Launching the system, Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said that efforts are also on to convert some 1,300 islands and all light houses into tourist attractions in a bid to tap their vast untapped potential. “Till now, sailing ships were forced to make payments manually, causing the ships to remain stranded for two-three days. Now, the online system will not only result in removing hardships faced by foreign flagged vessels, but result in ease of business as promised by the PM,” said Gadkari. The Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships has now facilitated the payment of Light dues through online mode. Syndicate Bank has now been accredited to collect the dues through online.