The Hindu : Karnataka News : Demand for better connectivity to Lakshadweep Islands

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Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Demand for better connectivity to Lakshadweep Islands

Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE: Members of Mangalore Lakshadweep Conference have submitted a memorandum to the Administrator of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep demanding better connectivity to the islands from here.

Citing that the islands are closer to Mangalore than any other mainland port, the petitioners have demanded that the traffic from New and Old Mangalore ports to Lakshadweep be improved.

Pointing out that Mangalore, and Dakshina Kannada in particular, has a host of medical and educational facilities, the memorandum states that this region can contribute to the growth and development of the people living in the remote island territory.

The petitioners have also demanded that connectivity by air should be improved and have asked for a helicopter service to be started between Lakshadweep and Mangalore to evacuate critically ill persons from the islands.

Among other things, the petitioners have asked for a ship ticket counter at Mangalore for travel to the islands.

Another demand is for a communication tower in the Bunder area as it would be helpful to the entire shipping service in the region.

Chairman of the conference U. Sayyad Shaik Koya Thangal said that improved connectivity to the Union Territory would also help tap the islands’ latent tourism potential.

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