The Prime Minister’s visit to the islands has put the islands in the limelight, while the government plans to modernise the helibas at the Union Territory’s capital Kavaratt Island and construct a resort to improve tourist amenities to attract more tourists.
News18 has learned that a new Domestic terminal building will be constructed at the new Helibase in Kavaratta in Lakshadwep. The site will also get a re-design with night landing facility in the near future. The project includes the construction of a new Passenger Terminal Building, a Hangar Building, Air Traffic Control (ATC) Blocks and Service Blocks at this Helibase.
Currently, the only way of reaching Kavaratta from Agatti is by helicopter. Helicopters connect Kavaratta via Kochi and Agatti. Helicopter transfers from Agatti can be made in monsoon season from Kavaratta to Agatti, depending on the availability of the choppers. However, with the upgrade of the Helibatta, the connectivity is expected to improve drastically. It is only 15 minutes by helicopter from Agatti towards Kavaratta.
‘SHORING UP’ TOURISM
Kavaratti is also expected to host a large-scale beach tourist project called Paradise Hut Resort, which will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind stay experience. Until now, the island has only one small-scale accommodation with the same name on the island.
The government is also looking to develop a city centre on the island for the benefit of both locals and tourists.
In addition, an integrated command and control centre (ICCC) is being established in Kavariatti for enhanced planning, surveillance, 24/7 supply chain, human movement tracking and crime prevention.
The Prime Minister also snorkelled at Bangaram while on a two-day visit to the islands of Agatti, kavaratti and Bangaram during his recent visit to lakshadweep
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT KAVARATTI?
Lakshadweep’s capital city, Kavaratti, is 404 km from the nearest major city on the mainland of India. It is situated in the middle of the archipelago, between Agatti island on the western side and Androth island on the eastern side. The island has a maximum length of 5.8 km, a width of 1.6 km, and a lagoon length of 6 km. The total area of the island is 4,96 sq km. At the northern end of the island, there is a small inland lake. The island measures 4 sq km in area and has the highest percentage of non-Islanders as residents.
Kavaratti, like the rest of the islands, has warm, sandy beaches for tourists to relax on. The beaches are very narrow, but the surrounding lagoons are full of starfish and anemones and sea cucumbers and hundreds of multi-colored fishes and amazing corals.
Lakshadweep’s westernmost lagoon is the best place to swim, kayak, windsurf and canoe. Chicken Neck Point is a popular spot to scuba dive and snorkel. A glass bottom boat ride allows tourists to see the abundant marine life and a variety of corals.
Kavaratti’s climate is similar to Kerala’s. The hottest time of the year is from March to May. The average temperature is between 25°C and 35°Cm. Humidity is around 70-76 per cent for the majority of the year. Rainfall is around 1,600 mm per annum. The monsoon season in Kavaratti starts on May 15 and ends on September 15. During the monsoon, the temperature rises to about 27-30 degrees and boats are not allowed to leave the lagoon due to the rough sea. The reef keeps the lagoon calm.