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Pirotan Lighthouse

There are 133 coral reefs and islets in the region of eastern side of the gulf of Kachchh stretching from Salaya to Jodiya which formed the part of erstwhile state of Nawanagar prior to independence. Most of the islets are barren. Pirotan is one of them. It is an important land mark for the mariners approaching Bedi Port. Pirotan island is 10 km North West of Rozi island and is approachable by boat or a motor launch from Bedi Port after about two hours sailing. Up to the early part of 19th century Salaya was the main port of Nawanagar( Jamnagar ) state. As the marine activities in the region increased, the Rulers of Nawanagar decided towards the end of 19th century to develop a lighter-age port at Bedi (known then as Nagna Bandar) .A sea police contingent was organised for the safety of vessels plying in the region. It was based at Rozi island. With the increase in traffic and in order to reduce the time taken by lighter-age system, new docks were constructed during 1975-76 at the mouths of Bedi creek (about 7 km from Bedi port) which came to be known as New Bedi port. Under the scheme of expansion of Bedi port complex, to facilitate handling of big size barges as well as to reduce the time on the lighter- age system, a modern high level platform enclosing the old Rozi jetty head (on Rozi island) was constructed in 1994-95.A passenger jetty constructed in the early part of 20th century on Rozi island was replaced now by the new jetty.

A flag staff on a stone mound was provided on Pirotan island in 1867. The first Lighthouse tower was constructed in 1898 on which a fifth order optical equipment with kerosene oil lamp giving fixed character was placed on 15th March 1898. The same equipment functioned for more than half a century when after independence in the year 1950 the fixed light was replaced by a flashing light giving flash every 10 sec. The present 24m high Lighthouse Tower was built during 1955-57 in place of the old tower. A 3rd order optical equipment with 55 mm PV Burner and the lantern supplied by M/s Stone Chance & Co., Birmingham were installed over it. The new Lighthouse was inaugurated on 5th February 1958 by Mr. Raj Bahadur, then Minister for Transport, Govt. of India.In the year 1996 changing over to Solar powered station was planned and a new 70W metal halide lamp replaced the PV burner. The power supply system consisted of Battery of maintenance free cells charged by Solar energy. The direct drive of the optical assembly by means of a stepper motor was also integrated while retaining traditional clock work mechanism as standby. The character of the light was modified to flash every 20 seconds. The system wascommissioned into service on 31st December 1996. A refurbished Racon (MACE origin) was installed on the LH tower which was commissioned in to operation on 2nd November 1999.The entire Region surrounding Pirotan Island and near by reefs is the National Marine Park. The region is the home of variety of rare marine species.

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