Manakkodam Lighthouse
Manakkodam Lighthouse is situated next to the Andhakaranazhy beach in the Alappuzha district of Kerala near Cherthala. The tower is a 33.8 metres (110.9 ft) high concrete structure with square cross section.[2] It was inaugurated on 1 August 1979. There were no lights in this area before 1979. The light source was changed from incandescent lamp to metal halide on 21 September 1998.[3][4][5] The light source flashes twice in ten seconds.[6] HistoryThe Manakkodam Lighthouse was first planned in 1972 with a 30 m cylindrical tower design, but due to weak substrata the plan was revised to a four‑column reinforced‑concrete structure supporting a service room.[7] Construction was completed in 1979,[8] and the lighthouse was commissioned on 1 August 1979, marking the first navigational light in the region. The original incandescent lamp was replaced by a 230 V, 400 W metal‑halide lamp on 21 September 1998, and later upgraded to a cluster of three 150 W lamps on 22 November 2006 to improve reliability and luminous intensity.[7] In 2022, ₹1 (equivalent to ₹1.06 in 2023) was offered by Central Government to develop various facilities at the lighthouse under Alappuzha marina-cum-cargo project, part of Sagar Mala project.[9] Structure and SpecificationsThe lighthouse is a 33.8 m‑high square reinforced‑concrete tower with a skeletal lower half and a closed upper half, painted white with a red lantern. Its focal plane is at 35.67 m above mean sea level, and the light characteristic is Fl(2) W 10s (two white flashes every 10 seconds). The optical system is a 300 mm fourth‑order revolving drum optic within a 2.4 m‑diameter lantern house, originally supplied by J. Stone & Co. Ltd., India. Power is drawn from the coastal mains supply (440 V, 50 Hz) with a standby generator provided on site.[10] Continuous maintenance is performed by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, ensuring the structure and equipment remain operational for coastal shipping and local fishing communities.[11] See alsoReferences
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