The Lakshadweep archipelago is set to get a serious boost to its infrastructure needs. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep triggering an overwhelming interest of tourists in the Union Territory, the Centre now plans to develop a new airport at Minicoy Islands for civilian and military aircraft.
“The plan is to have a dual-purpose airfield that would be capable of operating both fighter jets, other military planes and commercial aircraft,” government sources reportedly said.
The proposal to develop a new airfield in the Minicoy Islands is not new, the decision to
make a joint-use airfield for civilian and military purposes is the latest addition to the
revived plan.
The Lakshadweep islands are located at a strategic point on the shipping routes.
Bolstering its infrastructure will augur well for India.
According to the Manohar Parrikar Institute For Defence Studies And Analysis, the Nine
Degree Channel, located near Lakshadweep Islands, is the most direct route for ships
sailing from the Persian Gulf bound for East Asia. Proximity to the Indian western coast as
well as to other island nations such as Sri Lanka and Maldives, nearness to busy shipping
lanes, and wide geographical spread makes these islands extremely important for
ensuring security of sea lanes of communications and also for maritime security of India.
The spread of these islands has bestowed upon India 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters
and approximately 400,000 sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The lagoons and
EEZ around Lakshadweep Islands have significant fishery and mineral resources which are
of immense economic importance.
