Lighthouse, Gopalpur, Orissa India

Gopalpur Lighthouse came into existence in 1871 for assisting coastal shipping between Rangoon and Coromandal coast ports. The steamer service to Rangoon also touched Gopalpur. The first beacon was a wick lamp with 6th order optic hoisted from the top of steel mast of 8 m height, erected at a position approximately near the present R.B. Aerial mast. In 1892 4th order optic replaced the old optic The same mast was also used for hoisting the storm warning signals. A steel trestle frame was raised in 1925 by the side of mast and the DA gas light was installed on it. A masonry room was built near the trestle to store the gas cylinders.

Due to the heavy erosion during the early 1943 the gas Cylinder Room and Trestle Tower got heavily damaged and the light was discontinued remained withdrawn due to world war. In 1948 a new gas light inside 500 mm Lantern was established on a hillock about a km North from the coast. The light was installed over an MS Trestle 8 m high. A masonry room was provided for storing DA gas cylinders. This system continued for about 20 years.

The Gopalpur lighthouse, one of the oldest in the state, is under threat due to sea erosion. Commissioned on the sea beach here in 1871, the structure, which could have been a tourist attraction, lies unattended.

Gopalpur beach has been facing the wrath of erosive action of sea waves. The lighthouse, like many hotels in Gopalpur, has been damaged by the recent high tides.

“The 90feet compound wall on the eastern side of the lighthouse, which was constructed in 1966, was washed away by the sea four years ago. But it has not been repaired by the government authorities despite repeated requests by the director general of lighthouse,” said Malaya Biswas, head light-keeper.

After relief commissioner and director, Tourism Orissa, was informed about its state, engineers and officials of the design department of the state water resources visited the site but did not take any action, Biswas said.

“The lighthouse came into existence 140 years ago when the first beacon, a wick lamp, was lit and hoisted on the eight meter high steel mast. Storm warning signals were also hoisted on the same mast that stood on the lighthouse compound,” said A.K. Das, assistant light-keeper. These facilities were subsequently upgraded in 1892 and 1925.

After heavy erosion in 1943, the light and storm warning signal service had to be discontinued only to be resumed in 1948. In 2004, the light system was upgraded one more time.