Revamp for Kanhoji Angre fort, jetty for island soon

With an aim to attract more tourists to the Kanhoji Angre Fort on Khanderi Island, union minister of shipping Nitin Gadkari lay the foundation stone for makeover of the fort and construction of a passenger jetty. Soon, tourists will get to sail to reach the sea fort, which has been out of bounds till now.

The jetty will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs16 crore. It will be 37 metres long and 10 metres wide and will be connected to the island by a 150 metres long approach.

Other facilities that will be developed at the island include non-conventional energy and amphitheatre, restoring fort wall, having cafeteria and accommodation facilities, and getting potable water as well as sanitation facilities. At a later stage, once the jetty is ready, passenger ferry services will be started from the Gateway of India.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnvis said the government has accorded high priority to tourism and announced that 2017 will be declared as 'Visit Maharashtra Year'.

The Kanhoji Angre Island lighthouse was built in 1867 by the Government of Bombay for Rs1.22 lakh. Earlier known as Kennery (Khanderi in Marathi) Island, it is situated in mid-sea, off the coast of Thal village near Alibaug. The island is about 4.5km from Thal, 9.5km from Alibaug and 23km from Gateway of India. Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse marks the entry point to the Mumbai harbour and acts as a prime aid to navigation of ships entering and leaving Mumbai ports.