Suratkal Lighthouse is situated on the NH-17 and is about 12 km North of the Port of Mangalore. The nearest Railway station from the Lighthouse is Surathkal but the stop for express trains is at Kankanadi. This region was part of Mysore state prior to independence. The famous Mangalore tiles are supplied to most parts of India from this region. Nearby Mangalore has been an important port for centuries, exporting tiles, building wood, coir, coconut products, etc During the olden days there was a regular steamer service to Bombay, and coastal ports and occasionally to Colombo, Tutucorin, Cochin and Karachi.
There wasn’t any beacon provided here earlier. The construction of lighthouse tower was taken up during 1969-70 and completed in 1972. The Lighting equipment supplied by M/s BBT, Paris was installed which commenced operation on 15th May1972.
Later on the Radio beacon (`Nautel’ make, Canada) was added and was put on the Air on 23rd March 1979. The DA gas emergency light was discontinued and 12V 100W halogen lamp inside 200mm optic was installed outside the lantern room on 15th March 1996. The incandescent source of main light was replaced by 230V 400W Metal halide lamp on 6th April 1998.
The DGPS equipment manufactured by M/s Leica Geo Systems, U.S.A. and supplied and installed by M/s. Elcome Marine, Mumbai, was put on the Air on 21st May 1998. The Radio Beacon was discontinued. The transmitters of `Nautel’ make were replaced by `SAC’ (U.S.A.) make transmitters by M/s Elcome Marine, Mumbai on 30th September 2002. The light source was changed to 230 V , 3 x 70 W Metal Halide Cluster lamps and UPS
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