Lakshadweep On Mind? Here's How You Can Reach Island, Get Permit Online

Did you get hooked on pristine beaches and the natural beauty of Lakshadweep after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the island?

An archipelago of 36 islands serving as the maritime boundary between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Laccadive Sea to the east, Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory of India. Not all the islands there are inhabited and only a few are open to visitors, with special permits.

PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep last week sparked a huge interest among travellers in the union territory to visit the island. The “Lakshadweep vs Maldives” debate on social media and controversial remarks by Maldivian leaders added more to this frenzy and worldwide search interest about Lakshadweep is currently at its highest in the last 20 years.

Who Needs Permit to Enter Lakshadweep?

Any person who is not a native of the island shall enter or reside in or attempt to enter or reside in the islands only in accordance with a permit issued by the competent authority.

How to Apply For The Permit?

In order to apply for a permit to visit Lakshadweep islands, there are mainly two ways:

Online Permit

The easiest and fastest way to apply for a permit is to do that online.

One needs to visit the ePermit portal (https://epermit.utl.gov.in/pages/signup), create an account and fill out the form with details. Following that, one needs to choose their island and travel dates, upload any required documents and pay the fees.

One is expected to receive their permit via e-mail, 15 days before their trip.

Offline Permit

The other way is to download the application form from the Lakshadweep Administration website (http://www.lakshadweeptourism.com/contact.html), offline or get it from the District Collector’s office in Kavaratti.

After obtaining the form, one needs to fill them out, attach the documents and submit them to the Collector’s office. The second process may take longer and thereby one must plan accordingly.

Documents Required To Obtain Permit

• A passport-sized photograph
• A photocopy of one’s valid ID proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc.)
• Proof of travel (flight tickets or boat reservation)
• Booking confirmation from place of accommodation (hotel or resort)

Fees to Pay to Acquire Permit

The application fee to obtain the permit is 50 rupees for each applicant and the heritage fee is 100 rupees for children aged between 12 and 18. For people above the age 18, the heritage fee is 200 rupees.

The validity of the permit is usually for 30 days, however extensions are given under special cases.

How to Reach Lakshadweep?

Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep as ships and flights operate to and from Kochi for Lakshadweep. Agatti and Bangaram islands can be reached by flight from Kochi.

From Agatti, boats are available to Kavaratti and Kadmat during the fair season October to May. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Kavaratti during monsoon season subjected to availability of helicopter. The flight from Kochi to Agatti takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

Seven passenger ships – MV Kavaratti, MV Arabian Sea, MV Lakshadweep Sea, MV Lagoon, MV Corals, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep islands. The passage takes 14 to 18 hours depending on island chosen for journey.

The ships offer different classes of accommodation: A/C First Class with two berth cabins, A/C Second Class with four berth cabins and push back/Bunk Class with A/C seating. A doctor is available on call on board. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offer comfortable A/C seating ideal for a night’s journey. During fair season, high-speed vessels operate between islands.

Some Tips Before You Visit the Lakshadweep

• If one is planning to visit the smallest union territory of the country, then one should apply well in advance as permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis. The peak season to visit the island is between October and March.
• One of the most important things is to choose the island carefully. Each of them provides the travellers with unique experiences, Kavaratti is known for bustling markets, Agatti is known for water sports whereas Kadmat is known for its chill vibes.
• As soon as one gets the permit, they should look forward to book the accommodation there.
• One must be mindful to respect the local culture and environment as responsible tourism will preserve its beauty for generations to come.