Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep trip has brought the islands into the national spotlight while the government is planning to upgrade the helibase at Kavaratti Island, the capital of the union territory, and build a resort there to upgrade tourist facilities to attract more visitors.
News18 has learnt that a new domestic terminal building will come up at the Kavaratti helibase in Lakshadweep and the site will also be re-designed with night landing facilities soon. The project involves constructing a new passenger terminal building, a hangar building, ATC and service blocks at this helibase. So far, one has to take a helicopter to reach Kavaratti from Agatti – the latter is connected by aircraft from Kochi. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Kavaratti during monsoon season, subject to the availability of choppers. But with the upgradation of the helibase, the connectivity could improve significantly. It is a 15-minute chopper ride from Agatti to Kavaratti.
‘Shoring up’ tourism
Further, a big beach tourist project named Paradise Hut Resort is expected to come up at Kavaratti to offer a unique stay experience to visitors. So far, there is only one small staying place on the island by the same name. For the benefit of locals and tourists, the government is also planning to develop a City Centre on Kavaratti Island. An Integrated Command and Control Centre is also being set up in Kavaratti for better planning, surveillance system, 24X7 supplies and monitoring of human movement as well as crime management.
The PM had visited the Agatti, Kavaratti, and Bangaram islands during his recent two-day trip to Lakshadweep. He also tried snorkelling at Bangaram.
What’s special about Kavaratti?
Kavaratti is the capital of the union territory of Lakshadweep and is the closest major city on the Indian mainland at a distance of 404 km. It is located in the centre of the Lakshadweep archipelago between Agatti Island on the west and Andrott Island on the east. The maximum length of the island is 5.8 km and the width is 1.6 km. It has a lagoon about 6 km long with an area of 4.96 sq km. Kavaratti has a small inland lake at its northern end. The island is stretched over an area of 4 sq km and has the maximum percentage of non-islanders as residents here.
As is the case with other islands of Lakshadweep, Kavaratti has warm sandy beaches where tourists can unwind. Though the beaches are narrow, the lagoons around Kavaratti are fabulous with starfish, anemones, sea cucumbers, countless multi-hued fishes, and astounding corals. Located to the west of the island, the lagoon is best suited for swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and canoeing. To the south of the island lies Chicken Neck Point, a go-to place for water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling. A glass-bottom boat ride offers tourists an opportunity to view the rich marine life and an array of corals.
The climate of Kavaratti is similar to the conditions in Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperatures range from 25°C to 35°Cm and humidity is around 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1,600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from May 15 to September 15. The monsoon period raises the temperatures to around 27-30 degrees. During this time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm in the lagoon.
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