Agatti Island

Satellite picture showing the atolls of the Lakshadweep except for Minicoy
Agatti
Location of Agatti Island in the Indian Ocean
Agatti island, Lakshadweep.

Agatti Island (Malayalam: അഗത്തി ദ്വീപ്), also known as Agathy, is a 5.6 km long island, situated on a coral atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. It is located about 459 km (285 mi) off Kochi in the mainland and 7 km to the southwest of Bangaram, the nearest island. Agatti is 531 km away from Kollam(Quilon) and 529 km away from Kollam Port.[1] Kavaratti, the closest inhabited island, lies 54 km to the SE and the uninhabited Suheli Par atoll 76 km to the south. Agatti's total land area is approximately 2.7 km² (1 sq mi). The small island of Kalpati is located at the southern end on the same reef.[2]

Population

Its population as per the last census in 2001 was 5,667 and at present time its above 8,000, all of the inhabitants are of Muslim, religion which is said to have been brought by Arab traveller Ibn Batuta. Most people speak Malayalam and English. Agatti has its own 100 kW power house which uses fuel to generate electricity. There is a Sea Water Desalination unit which provides desalinated water to the islanders.

How to reach

Sea

Lakshwadeep is connected to Cochin by sea route. Seven passenger ships operate between the two ports and it takes 14-20 hours for the passage. These ships have modern facilities that includes entertainment area, video shows, cafeteria and offer comfortable A/C accommodation. [3]

Air

Agatti Aerodrome is the only airport in Lakshadweep. Air India Regional operates daily ATR 42 flights from Kochi except Sunday. [4] Flight time from Kochi is 90 minutes. Further Kochi is connected to many domestic and international destinations. [5]

Tourism

Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands open to tourism. Visitors, however, are allowed to the Island under certain restrictions. They are required to obtain Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for entering or visiting the island. Entry Permit is issued based on the visitor having a confirmed place to stay. There are only two hotels or resorts in Agatti: Agatti Island Beach Resort (AIBER) and the other is Sea Shells Beach Resort. A road runs through the island, which can be best enjoyed by hiring a bicycle available at many places.

References

  1. ↑ Kollam to Agatti
  2. ↑ Oceandots - Agatti at the Wayback Machine (archived December 23, 2010)
  3. ↑ "How to reach Lakshwadeep". Official Website of Union Territory of Lakshwadeep. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Alliance Air". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "How to reach Lakshwadeep". Official Website of Union Territory of Lakshwadeep. Retrieved 29 December 2014.

External links

Coordinates: 10°50′N 72°12′E / 10.833°N 72.200°E