Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Central Government has outlined a comprehensive Rs 3,600 crore infrastructure upgrade plan aimed at transforming the Laksadweep Islands into a premier tourist destination, a government official told theEconomic Times. The ambitious initiative will encompass the development of port facilities, peripheral roads, beachfront amenities, and other critical infrastructure projects.
Some of the highlights of the plan include the development of port facilities at Androth, Kalpeni, and Kadamat islands, along with the construction of beachfront and peripheral roads at strategic locations such as Kadamat Island (East), Agatti Island (East), and Kavaratti Island. These initiatives are part of a larger effort to enhance connectivity and tourism infrastructure across the 36 islands of Lakshadweep, covering 32 square kilometres in total and situated 220-440 km off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.
Funding for these projects will be sourced from the Sagarmala scheme, which focuses on port-led development initiatives. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Interim Union Budget 2024, highlighted the importance of investing in port connectivity and tourism infrastructure, particularly on islands like Lakshadweep, to cater to the growing demand for domestic tourism in the country.