Travel rules simplified but connectivity to Lakshadweep remains poor

T'puram: The Union govt may have simplified the travel procedure to Lakshadweep to boost tourism but it is yet to address the poor connectivity to the islands from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. As flights are fewer, the airfares are expensive, making it unfeasible for tourists. The Lakshadweep administration has done away with the need to have a local sponsor and police verification at hometowns of the tourists. Now, the police verification will be done by the Lakshadweep police after the permit application is submitted. Nevertheless, the benefits of the simplification of the procedure will reach the tourists only if good air connectivity is offered to the islands. While there are three flights from Kochi on weekends, there are no flights from Thiruvananthapuram. Travel and tour operators route visitors via Bengaluru and Mumbai because the fares are comparatively cheaper. The one-way fares from Kochi to Agatti range from Rs 6,700-15,000 for travel next weekend. Moreover, the fares from Bengaluru too are expensive because of the high demand for seats amid summer vacations. Though there have been calls from the travel and tour industry, tourism promotion has not taken off for the islands. The state govt is hoping that the modified Udan scheme that has included the islands as a destination will attract more operators to start flights on the route. Tourism secretary K Biju said that new Udan flights may come on the route as the destination is part of the scheme. There are operators under Udan, but more need to come. Flights are already operated from Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa and Kochi under the Udan scheme. The DGCA recently gave approval for a seaplane service in Lakshadweep. Tourism is permitted in Agatti, Bangaram, Kadmat, Minicoy and Kavaratti. Travel operators in the islands run cruise and ferry service connecting some of these islands, with the rates come to around Rs 10,000-19,000 per person. Though premium resorts are fewer, homestays cater to tourists mostly. M K Ajit Kumar of India Tourism Forum said, "Lakshadweep is a beautiful place that can do well in tourism. But it is not promoted enough." He added that many package tours from the state are often routed via Bengaluru or Mumbai because the flights are cheaper. "There is a need to push for more flights as the travel rules have been simplified," Kumar said.