Lakshadweep may soon have a dual-purpose airfield for military and commercial operations. The proposal gained traction after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the island recently. At present, the Union Territory has an airstrip in Agatti capable of accommodating only narrow-body aircraft.
The proposal to have a dual-purpose airport at Minicoy Islands in Lakshadweep entails Indian Air Force being the lead agency in handling operations from the airfield.
It will have facilities to enable fighter jets to land and take off and keep an eye on the strategic sea lanes the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, sources said here on Tuesday. The Indian Coast Guard was the first one to suggest the development of an airstrip in the Minicoy Islands, they added.
An earlier proposal was moved to the Government to develop a new airfield in the Minicoy Islands.
Now, the proposal has been resurrected and sent to the government again advocating a joint use purpose.
The airport at Minicoy will also give defence forces the capability to expand their area of surveillance in the Arabian Sea. The airport will also provide a boost to tourism in the region, they said.
It was learnt the proposal for the development of a new airport and extending the present facilities were revived recently. The group of islands gained huge popularity since Prime Minister Modi’s visit. He also urged adventure seekers to explore various activities in Lakshadweep as he tried his hand at snorkelling.