New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep and the subsequent controversy over three Maldivian minister’s disparaging & denigrating reference to the former, the archipelago has piqued the interest of travelers & netizens alike.
Ever since the Lakshadweep-Maldives row erupted, the searches for Indian archipelago on Google search engine has jumped manifold. It has also become a major talking point on the social media, with not just common citizens but also the acclaimed & influential ones joining the heated debate over ‘whose scenic beauty is better & apt for personal experience’.
While controversy rages on, here it’s important to inform that Lakshadweep is India’s smallest Union Territory and possesses an intense tourism potential, still waiting to unravel.
Lakshadweep is a cluster of 36 small islands & three coral reefs, however only 10 of them are inhabitable. The most sought after destinations in Lakshadweep are Bangaram island, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Minicoy & Thinnakara island.
How to obtain permit for Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep, boasting of many exotic & picturesque locations, remains out of bounds for common people and this applies to domestic & foreign tourists.
One has to obtain special permit for visiting the island. This can be done both offline & online.
Getting a digital permit is the easiest and first step. One can apply online for e-permit at the weblink — https://epermit.utl.gov.in/pages/signup
While applying for permission, one will have to give details of their trip, journey date & bookings besides submitting required documents.
The e-permit will be delivered to your given mail address.
For applying via offline mode, you will have to fill the same form and post it to the District collector’s office in Kavaratti, the capital city of Lakshadweep. The permission is subject to acknowledgment & approval by the Collector’s office.
How to reach Lakshadweep
Connectivity to the mainland is the biggest obstacle in planning a trip to the island. Agatti airport is the only airstrip here, but it has also very limited flight operation and that too from Kerala’s Kochi.
The easiest & most preferred way to reach the Union Territory is via a ferry from Kochi. Several ships will take you to the UT which include MV Arabian Sea, MV Lagoon & more.
