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Welcome to VAKALAPUDI LIGHT HOUSE

Sr. No.
Position

Character

Tower

Height above MSL

Range

Optical Equipment

Illuminant
Source of Energy

Year first Light Commissioned
Subsequent Innovations

Post

Telephone

:
:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

F 0964
17o 00.8’ N
82o 17.1’ E

flash(3) White every 15 Sec

23m high Circular Masonry tower (Red & White bands)

28m

20 NM

350mm Revovling optic 4th Order Revolving optic inside 2.0 m diameter Latern (Chance Bross & BBT)

400 W 230V Metal Halide lamp Mains supply 440V 50Hz

1879

1901,1936,1976,2002,2004

Vakalpudi Lighthouse, VAKALAPUDI, Kakinada-533 005

0884-2361645

Vakalapudi Lighthouse is situated about 10 Km north east from Kakinada town. Kakinada(previously Cocanada) is an ancient port since the period of Kakatiyas. The British East India Company had established their agency here in the mid 19th century and introduced a regular Steamer service to ply between Rangoon and Machilipatnam touching important ports on the route including Kakinada.

In 1860 a masonry column was raised in the port area for placing an oil lamp. This beacon was painted white. The work for the lighthouse tower began in 1874 and competed in 1878. The equipment consisting of 5th order drum optic and a wick burner, supplied by M/s Chance Bross, Birmingham was installed and the light was exhibited in March 1879. A lantern house of 2.0 m diameter also supplied by M/s Chance Bross was added in 1901. A revolving optical equipment of 4th order and 35mm PV burner of B.B.T origin was installed in place of wick lamp and drum optic in 1936. The 55 mm burner was introduced in place of 35mm burner in 1976.

The lighthouse was placed under the control of Kakinada Port in 1941. The same arrangement continued till July 2000 when it was handed over to the Deptt of Lighthouse & Lightships. The PV light source was replaced by 400W 230V Metal Halide lamp and the direct drive of optic by stepper motor was incorporated into the system in September 2002. The construction of a new 45m lighthouse tower was taken up in May 2004