News Desk: The Indian government has initiated the process to acquire Bitra Island in Lakshadweep for defence and strategic purposes, triggering opposition from local residents and political leaders.
A notification issued by the Lakshadweep Revenue Department on July 11 announced a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of the land acquisition process under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The Department of Revenue has been identified as the project developer.
Bitra Island, one of the ten inhabited islands in Lakshadweep, is home to around 105 families and lies approximately 220 to 440 kilometers off the Kochi coast, near the Indian Navy’s Southern Command. While the move is seen as part of broader efforts to bolster India’s maritime presence, it has stirred concerns among locals over displacement and ecological impact.
Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed expressed solidarity with the residents, saying: “We’ve held detailed discussions with leaders from Bitra and across Lakshadweep. We will oppose this move politically and legally.”
The development follows the Defence Ministry’s recent efforts to expand military infrastructure in the archipelago. Last year, the naval detachment at Minicoy island was upgraded to a full-fledged naval base, INS Jatayu, equipped with additional operational and residential infrastructure.
Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory comprising 36 islands, is of growing strategic importance due to its location in the Arabian Sea. However, only 10 of these islands, including Bitra, are inhabited, making any move towards militarization a sensitive issue.
