Inaugurating the four day meeting, he said the deliberations are aimed at further improving aids to maritime navigation and setting standards.
India has been on the 20-member IALA council for the last 33 years and is hosting this council meeting for the second time.
IALA is a non-governmental organization established in 1957, with its headquarters at Paris, bringing Aids to Marine Navigation activities of countries all over the world on a uniform platform for expeditious, safe and cost effective movement of vessels.
IALA council is a policy framing body that deliberates on various issues related with Aids to Navigation. IALA closely interacts with International Maritime Organization (IMO), in developing International standards on navigation equipments.
India is represented by the Director General of Lighthouses & Lightships which manages 186 Lighthouses in the country to give both visual as well as radio coverage along its coastline.
The Hon’ble Minister also released a coffee table book titled “Night Sparkle” on Indian Lighthouses today.
The book gives the insight about the life of Navigational Assistants who live at isolated locations at Lighthouses with limited logistic support.
