**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4053, addressed on August 18, 2025, regarding the non-operational status and deterioration of tourist huts in Kadmath, Lakshadweep, the Ministry of Tourism clarifies that the development and management of tourism infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the Union Territory Administration. The existing tourist huts, previously under SPORTS Lakshadweep, were not operational. To address this, a global tender (RFP) was issued to develop ecotourism resorts, including beach and water villas, at the same location under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This project, estimated at ₹240 crore, plans for approximately 110 rooms. The project has been awarded to Ms. Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), with the Concession Agreement signed in December 2022. The project includes pre-obtained environmental clearances, including CRZ clearance, with assessments conducted by NCSCM, MoEFCC, and NITI Aayog. Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a project worth ₹81.18 crore under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme for the "Development of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience at Bangaram" in the financial year 2024-25, demonstrating continued investment in tourism infrastructure within the Union Territory.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: The Indian government ministry responsible for tourism.
SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about tourist huts.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who provided the answer.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, specifically mentioned in the context of tourism development.
Kadmath: A location within Lakshadweep where tourist huts were previously operated.
Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL): The company awarded the Eco-tourism Project at Kadmat.
Bangaram: A location where the project 'Development of EcoRetreat, Adventure, Beach and Mice Experience' is sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0: A central sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for tourism infrastructure development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4053
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
TOURIST HUTS IN KADMATH
4053. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Tourist Huts in Kadmath, previously operated under
SPORTS Lakshadweep have remained non-operational for over two
years and are deteriorating; and
(b) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to
restore and reopen these facilities for tourism development?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (b): Development of tourism infrastructure and its management is
primarily done by the concerned State Government and Union Territory
Administration. UTA of Lakshadweep has informed that the Tourist Huts at
Kadmath were not operational. However, global tender (RFP) was floated to
develop Eco-tourism resorts – comprising beach and water villas in Kadmat
under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, at the same location as where
the Tourist Huts are located. The Eco tourism Project at Kadmat Island is
estimated at around ₹240 crore with approximately 110 rooms planned,
which include beach and water villas. The project was awarded to M/s Indian
Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) and the Concession Agreement was signed in
December, 2022. This project includes pre-obtained environmental
clearances, such as CRZ clearance, with assessments done by NCSCM,
MoEFCC, and NITI Aayog.
The Ministry of Tourism through its central sectors schemes provides
financial assistance to the State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations to develop tourism infrastructure in the country and has
sanctioned the project- “Development of Eco-Retreat, Adventure, Beach and
Mice Experience at Bangaram” for ₹81.18 Crore in the financial year 2024-25
under its Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
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