The Lok Sabha member from Lakshadweep, Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed, has written to Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan seeking cooperation on advanced healthcare, emergency accommodation, improved vessel services from Beypore and measures against drug trafficking.
Mr. Sayeed, who leads the Lakshadweep Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted the long-standing ties between the islanders and Kerala. He asked the state to provide timely, affordable super-speciality care in fields such as oncology, cardiology, neurology and nephrology, mainly at hospitals in Ernakulam, Kalamassery, Kottayam and Kozhikode.
He requested dedicated help desks at these facilities to assist with admissions and coordination, along with adequate beds and ICU capacity for patients from the islands.
The letter also sought temporary accommodation for students, workers and patients when sea links are disrupted by floods or cyclones, noting that many administration guest houses have been leased to private operators.
On connectivity, Mr. Sayeed urged restoration of the discontinued Beypore–Lakshadweep passenger service and upgrades at Beypore port to handle more cargo. He asked the state to coordinate with the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
He further requested extension of Kerala’s anti-narcotics Operation Toofan to the islands and stronger intelligence sharing among police, excise and port authorities. He also suggested including Lakshadweep in the state’s proposed port-to-port connectivity plan to support tourism and trade.
