Lakshadweep Talking Points

 Island Development Agency (IDA) was set up by the GoI in June 2017 for the holistic development of
Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
 GoI plans to develop 12 new Lakshadweep islands under the Island Development Programme, limiting
access only to ‘high-end’ tourists

 The number of tourists visiting these newly-opened islands will be planned and closely monitored to
minimize their impact on the fragile ecology

 IDA decided in November 2018 to develop an airport at the IAF base in Minicoy Island to provide an
alternate landing facility for tourists. Additionally, GoI is also identifying lagoons along the islands
where sea planes can be operated

 The PPP route was decided upon to develop the joint-user airport, and the GoI’s think tank NITI Aayog
has been asked to drive the formulation of the PPP project and propose detailed guidelines
 NITI Aayog has released a model concession agreement on “Island Resort and Supporting
Infrastructure” outlining the details of proposed resort development and operation
 Moreover, GoI has planned to build ~150 rooms across 12 inhabited and uninhabited islands tying up
with private parties. Of the above, ~84 rooms will be on the inhabited islands of Bangaram and Suheli

 GoI has plans to invite potential resort owners, hoteliers and tourism operators to showcase the
islands’ potential. It is also in the process of setting up the Lakshadweep Tourism Development
Corporation (LTDC) to oversee all related development

Lakshadweep Islands - Statistics

 Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 6 submerged banks, with a total of about 36
islands and islets – of which fewer than half are inhabited
 It has a total land mass of 32 sq. km lying 220 to 440 km off the west coast of Kerala
 Of the 12 islands identified for development as tourist destinations, work will start on 10 – Mincoy,
Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Bangaram, Thinakarra, Cheriyan, Suheli and Kalpeni. Of these, the first
5 are inhabited, and the remaining are uninhabited islands
 Connectivity: AI flies daily to Agatti Airport from Kochi; ~18hr cruise ship from Kochi another option.
 Indian nationals require a permit to visit these islands, and bookings for stay at state-run hotels must
be made through SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature, Tourism and Sports) and its authorized
travel agents
 Agatti aerodrome (with a runway length of just 1,200m) is the only airstrip on Lakshadweep island,
and has been operational since 1988

 It can handle 50 passengers during peak hours. As per the proposed development master plan, the
following works will be undertaken:
o The existing runway will be extended by 336 metres in the south-west direction over the
lagoon towards Kalpati Island without interconnecting the two islands
o Construction of new Terminal building, ATC tower cum Technical block & Fire Station in the
north-west direction by constructing a platform supported by R.C.C pillars on the lagoon
o A Fully air conditioned Terminal building covering 2250 square metres to cater for 150
passengers at a time (75 arriving and 75 departing)
o A new 118×62 metre apron suitable for parking two ATR-72 aircraft with power-in and power-
out configuration will be constructed on a platform supported by RCC pillars in the lagoon
o Runway End Safety Area (RESA) measuring 60×90 metres and a Blast Pad/Overrun area
measuring 60×30 metres
o 73 metre long taxiway from the Runway to the Apron, and Parking area for 75 cars about
2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft)
o Proposed DVOR and NDB navigational aids will be placed on Kalpati island