Lakshadweep plans new airport and more hotels

11 Jan 2024 CW Team

Additionally, there is a long-standing plan, spanning two decades, to extend the 1.2-kilometer airstrip in Agatti. If realized, this extension would allow A320s to operate on Agatti, replacing the smaller turboprop planes currently in use. Several major Indian hotel chains express their interest in expanding into Lakshadweep, with Taj already declaring its intention to establish new hotels on Suheli and Kadmat islands by the year 2026. The local administration is also actively promoting cruise tourism to the archipelago in the Arabian Sea.

Union minister G Kishan Reddy urges Indians to become ambassadors for Lakshadweep amid tensions with the Maldives, emphasising the enormous potential the region holds.

Despite these positive developments, there remain challenges in terms of air travel to Lakshadweep. Tickets for flights to the region are sold out until March, underscoring the existing poor connectivity. The Lakshadweep administration claims to have implemented measures to simplify the trip to the archipelago. The mandatory e-permit process has been moved entirely online, and restrictions on tourists from certain areas have been lifted. Previously, travellers, including Indian citizens, were required to pay a fee of Rs 200 at a bank and submit the deposit challan to apply for an entry permit. The new online process ensures that permits can now be issued within a day or two.

The pressing need for improved air connectivity is evident from the fact that Alliance Air, the sole Indian airline operating to Lakshadweep, has completely sold out its Kochi-Agatti-Kochi flights the sole aerial route to the archipelago until March.

In the forthcoming years, there is a possibility of enhanced aerial connectivity between Lakshadweep and mainland India, as well as the rest of the world. This may be facilitated by the proposed construction of a dual-use airfield in Minicoy, designed to cater to both civilian and military needs. The airfield is expected to accommodate planes of the size of Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, as well as fighter jets. Additionally, there is a long-standing plan, spanning two decades, to extend the 1.2-kilometer airstrip in Agatti. If realized, this extension would allow A320s to operate on Agatti, replacing the smaller turboprop planes currently in use. Several major Indian hotel chains express their interest in expanding into Lakshadweep, with Taj already declaring its intention to establish new hotels on Suheli and Kadmat islands by the year 2026. The local administration is also actively promoting cruise tourism to the archipelago in the Arabian Sea. Union minister G Kishan Reddy urges Indians to become ambassadors for Lakshadweep amid tensions with the Maldives, emphasising the enormous potential the region holds. Despite these positive developments, there remain challenges in terms of air travel to Lakshadweep. Tickets for flights to the region are sold out until March, underscoring the existing poor connectivity. The Lakshadweep administration claims to have implemented measures to simplify the trip to the archipelago. The mandatory e-permit process has been moved entirely online, and restrictions on tourists from certain areas have been lifted. Previously, travellers, including Indian citizens, were required to pay a fee of Rs 200 at a bank and submit the deposit challan to apply for an entry permit. The new online process ensures that permits can now be issued within a day or two. The pressing need for improved air connectivity is evident from the fact that Alliance Air, the sole Indian airline operating to Lakshadweep, has completely sold out its Kochi-Agatti-Kochi flights the sole aerial route to the archipelago until March.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..