Sail from Kudla to Lakshadweep aka ‘A Hundred Thousand Islands’ on a 150-Seat Passenger Ship
Sail from Kudla to Lakshadweep aka ‘A Hundred Thousand Islands’ on a 150-Seat Passenger Ship ‘MV Minicoy’, from Bunder Old Port, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Lakshadweep, the group of 36 islands is known for its exotic and sun-kissed beaches and lush green landscape. The name Lakshadweep in Malayalam and Sanskrit means ‘a hundred thousand islands’. India’s smallest Union Territory Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km. It is a uni-district Union Territory and comprises of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands. The islands have a total area of 32 sq km. The capital is Kavaratti and it is also the principal town of the UT. All Islands are 220 to 440 km away from the coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. The natural landscapes, the sandy beaches, abundance of flora and fauna and the absence of a rushed lifestyle enhance the mystique of Lakshadweep.
Kavaratti, one of the more developed islands, is home to dozens of mosques, including the ornately decorated Ujra Mosque, as well as Kavaratti Aquarium, showcasing regional fish, shark and coral species. With coconut trees, secluded beaches, lagoons and coral reefs, the islands are known for their scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. Off Bangaram Island, the 18th-century Princess Royal shipwreck is an underwater attraction that divers can explore. Resorts on Agatti and Kadmat islands organize local diving and glass-bottom boat tours, as well as visits to the waters around uninhabited islands. A 19th-century lighthouse on Minicoy Island, still in use today, is a remnant of the islands’ British colonial past.
Only BSNL and Airtel provides telecommunication services to Lakshadweep Islands. BSNL provides connectivity in all 10 inhabited islands where as Airtel provides connectivity to Kavaratti and Agatti islands. The entry to Lakshadweep islands is restricted. One requires an entry permit issued by Lakshadweep Administration to visit these islands. Log on for more details at https://lakshadweep.gov.in/. Until now, if some one from Mangaluru had to visit Lakshadweep, they had to catch a flight or board a ship from Kochi. But here comes good news, effective 4 March 2020 until the begin of monsoon, Mangaloreans can book a ticket through a travel agent along with necessary entry documents, right here from Kudla to the beautiful sun-kissed islands of Lakshadweep.
Team Mangalorean had the privilege of meeting the Captain of the Ship M V Minicoy, Capt Aravindan P, who was kind enough to give a tour of the Ship, and also the necessary information. The First trip of the season started on 4 March 2020, with the ship sailing from Bunder Old Port, Mangaluru at 3.30 pm- and will reach Lakshadweep next day morning, depending on which island in Lakshadweep you alight. M V Minicoy has a total crew members of 21, including the captain. Apart from carrying 150 passengers, the ship also hauls nearly 20 tonnes of food and other supplies to the residents of Lakshadweep.
Ticket fare by ship from Mangaluru to Lakshadweep varies between Rs 500- Rs 600 as per travel agent or online booking, but the fare for Lakshadweep residents is very low, depending on their personal status. Travel agents also offer various holiday packages between Rs 6000 and above for 3 days depending on the island and facilities. M V Minicoy has 150 AC seats , and there is on board self-serve food counter, with choice of veg and non-veg cuisine prepared by Ship Chefs- and the menu prices are quite reasonable.
Sources reveal that, the Dakshina Kannada Coastal regulation Zone Management Committee had granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Lakshadweep Administration for the construction of their office and other amenities at Bunder Old Port in 2015. It is also learnt that the Lakshadweep Administration and Karnataka Port Department had chalked out a plan to construct a harbour, passengers waiting lounge/complex, goods sheds and other facilities at a cost of Rs 50 crore, and the Karnataka Port Dept had also agreed to provide 8,000 sq m land to the Lakshadweep Administration, however, this project has not been materialized until now.
Apart from the passenger ship from Mangaluru to Lakshadweep twice or thrice a week , there are also cargo boats shipping building materials, and other commodities required by the Lakshadweep Administration on regular basis, from Bunder Port.
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