India plans new airport in Lakshadweep’s Minicoy
The Indian government has decided to develop a new airfield at the Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. It has been planned for commercial use as well as military purposes. The military airport will also contain fire jets. News agency ANI reported on Tuesday citing sources.
Military point of view:
The new airfield in Minicoy will strengthen the military control over the region. It can be used as a base to keep an eye on both the Indian Ocean as well as The Arabian Sea. The region had recently faced some drone attacks on cargo ships and pirates have done their job by hijacking merchant vessels.
The airport will be designed in such a way that it can be used by civilians and military aircraft including fighter jets. There is currently only a single airport in the Lakshadweep islands which is situated in Agatti. A single airport restricts the type of aircraft. Having multiple airports will also benefit the tourists.
Lakshadweep has now become one of the top destinations among Indian citizens since our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in the last week. Tourism is promoted at a vast rate all over India. Many Bollywood celebrities have contributed to promoting tourism in Lakshadweep after Modi’s visit, either by visiting there or by posting about it on their social media handles.
The proposal for the airfield was made by the Indian Coast Guard which was the first force under the defence ministry to do so. According to the current proposal, The Indian Airforce will lead the operations from the Minicoy Islands.
Many politicians of the ruling party in The Maldives have criticized the Indian government for promoting of Lakshadweep tourism against Maldives. They have shown their dislike against the negativity towards them.