Lakshadweep's Minicoy Island to get dual-use airport for military and civilian flights

The recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the Union Territory, Lakshadweep is triggering the government's interest in boosting the tourist culture in Flora-Fauna-rich island. Therefore, the government is now planning to develop a new aircraft field to provide operation for both of the purposes. Though the plan has been proposed earlier, it has been revived several times and is currently held under progression.

As per the military defensive perception, it can be subjected as strong surveillance to be used as a base to keep an eye on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region. The Indian Coast Guard was the first military force to suggest the development of an airstrip in the Minicoy Islands.

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The airport build-up will give a boost to the defence force's capability to extend its reach in the Arabian Sea. Secondly, it also fostered the tourism ratio, creating more employment and job opportunities. Broadly, there is only one airstrip in the island territory at the moment, which is in Agatti and it can also limit the types of aircraft.

The airfield is strategically important for providing a significant approach to compensate for the danger of piracy and anti-social activities like terrorism in the Arabian Sea and Indo-Pacific region. The group of islands has been at the centre of discussion and attraction for a long time as it is considered the natural heritage of the country's biospecies region.

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In addition to this, Tata Group plans to inaugurate two resorts in 2026 on the islands of Suheli and Kadmat in Lakshadweep. Further, the company has stated that these greenfield projects are set to open in 2026 and will be developed by IHCL[ Indian Hotels Company Limited], a subsidiary of Tata Group company.

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