Delays in crucial projects in Lakshadweep may compromise

A Parliamentary panel has observed that there has been "inordinate delays" in some crucial projects in Lakshadweep, including in setting up an airport, which may "compromise" India's coastal security.
The Committee on Government Assurances, which adopted the report on April 6, identified the Agatti Airport expansion and the Coast Guard Airport among the projects that have been hit by land acquisition hurdles and inter-departmental coordination issues.
The report also points out the delay in implementing a proposal on coastal security under which the Lakshadweep administration had placed a request for three "10-12 metres Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs)" and nine "7-metres RIBs".

"The process of procurement would take about four more years. This sequence of events unfolds deeply pervading malaise in the entire spectrum of the country's security-related procurement process...Any delay in this trend will compromise the country's coastal security," the panel said.
While the expansion project has been delayed by five years, it may take another four to five years for the Coast Guard Airport to come up, said the committee which was chaired by BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
"There is no airstrip/airbase at such strategic island as Minicoy which does not augur well for the country's coastal security and development of coastal tourism.

"The Committee feel that the matter should be pursued vigorously as it plays a crucial role in development of the island's economy through tourism and enhancing the country's defence preparedness," it notes on the Coast Guard project.