KOZHIKODE: For long, Kozhikode had been the default choice for Lakshadweep when it comes to importing essential commodities and education. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that Kozhikode is not the prime option for merchants and students from the Union Territory.
A new trend has been in the making for a few years now, as many of the businessmen in the islands are increasingly considering Mangaluru and Kochi for business purposes while students flock to Mangaluru and Chennai for higher studies.
Citing a host of reasons, experts say that Kozhikode is slowly losing the tag of being the default choice for Lakshadweep residents.
“Lack of facilities at Beypore port, shortage of ships and vessels and high labour cost have hit the business between Lakshadweep and Kozhikode,” says Malabar Dweep Welfare Centre president P T Hamsa.
According to data with Sailing Vessel and Shipment Contractors Welfare Association, a dip has been in sight since 2000 and it has now touched 60 per cent.
The revenue stood at Rs 5 crore to 6 crore till 2000 and has now gone down to Rs 1 crore a month at Beypore. Earlier, around 80 per cent of the total commodities for Lakshadweep was purchased from Kozhikode.
Bringing a sharp decrease of 40 per cent in exportation to Kozhikode, now dividend of Mangaluru and Kochi has gone up to 30 per cent while it stood at ten per cent in 2000.
Despite repeated demands, the authorities are yet to develop the wharf of Beypore port.
“Started in 1980, daily passenger ship service was available between Beypore and various islands of Lakshadweep. Besides, 12 vessels were conducting continuous services,” says association general secretary K V Rafeeq.