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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2022}}
{{short description|Island off the coast of India}}
__NOTOC__
{{Infobox islands
|name=Dr. Abdul Kalam Island
| native_name =
| native_name_link = Odia language
| native_name_lang = or
| sobriquet =
| location = [[Bay of Bengal]]
| country=[[India]]
| image_name =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| map = India Odisha
| map_caption = Location of Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, India
|coordinates={{coord|20.75804|87.085533|display=inline,title}}
|length_km = 2
|area_acre=390
| country_admin_divisions_title = State
| country_admin_divisions = [[Odisha]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = District
| country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Bhadrak district]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/wheeler-island-renamed-apj-abdul-kalam-island-on-former-presidents-death-anniversary-3865449.html|title=Wheeler Island renamed APJ Abdul Kalam Island on former president's death anniversary|website=Firstpost|date=28 July 2017 |access-date=2019-10-20}}</ref>
}}

'''Dr. Abdul Kalam Island''', formerly known as '''Wheeler Island''', is an island off the coast of [[Odisha]], [[India]], approximately {{convert|150|km}} east of the state capital [[Bhubaneswar]]. The island was originally named after English commandant Lieutenant [[Hugh Wheeler (East India Company officer)|Hugh Wheeler]]. On 4 September 2015, the island was renamed to honour the late Indian president, Dr. [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/in-tribute-to-indias-missile-man-apj-abdul-kalam-wheeler-island-named-after-him_1667306.html|title=In tribute to India's 'Missile Man' Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, Wheeler Island named after him|date=4 September 2015 |publisher=Zee News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telangananewspaper.com/abdul-kalam-island/ | location=Hyderabad, India | work=TNP | title=Dr. Kalam Island inspires youth in india. All India youth were proud to be a person lived in this generation for only india | date=5 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/bhubaneswar/Wheeler-Island-renamed-after-Missile-Man/articleshow/48832901.cms|title=Wheeler Island renamed after Missile Man|work=The Times of India|accessdate=7 September 2022}}</ref> The Integrated Test Range missile testing facility is located on the island, and serves as the test facility for most of India's missiles such as the [[Akash (missile)|Akash]], [[Agni (missile)|Agni]], [[Astra (missile)|Astra]], [[BrahMos]], [[Nirbhay]], [[Prahaar (missile)|Prahaar]], [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi]], [[Shaurya (missile)|Shaurya Missile]], [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme#Advanced Air Defence (AAD) / Ashwin Ballistic Missile Interceptor|Advanced Air Defence]], [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme#Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor|Prithvi Air Defence]], and [[Mission Shakti|ASAT missiles]].<ref name="ASAT">{{cite web|title=India Fourth To Test ASAT, Pioneered By US, Soviet Union 60 Years Ago|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asat-launch-india-fourth-to-test-asat-once-pioneered-by-us-ussr-60-years-ago-2013869|website=NDTV India|accessdate=27 March 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
Abdul Kalam Island is one among a group of five islands located in the [[Bay of Bengal]], approximately {{convert|10|km}} off the eastern coast of India, and about {{convert|70|km}} south of [[Chandipur, Odisha|Chandipur]] in [[Balasore district]], Odisha. The island is about {{convert|2|km}} in length and {{convert|390|acre|km2}} in area.<ref name="GlobSec">{{cite web|date=|title=Wheeler Island|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/wheeler.htm|publisher=Global Security|accessdate=2014-12-18}}</ref> The nearest port is [[Dhamra Port]]. This island belongs to [[Bhadrak district]].

==Integrated Test Range==
The Integrated Test Range (ITR) is a missile testing facility composed of two complexes - Launch Complex-IV (LC-IV) located on Abdul Kalam Island and Launch Complex-III (LC-III) located at Chandipur. The [[Government of India]] began searching for a suitable location to construct a dedicated military missile test range and begin development of the [[Agni (missile)|Agni]] series of missiles in the early 1980s. The [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) constructed an interim facility adjacent to the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur. In 1986, the Union Government announced plans to construct a National Test Range at [[Baliapal]] in Balasore district, the same district as Chandipur. This would have required the government to move 130,000 people out of 130 villages located in the area.<ref name="NTI">{{cite web|title=Integrated Test Range|url=http://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/938/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001222700/http://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/938/|archive-date=1 October 2021|website=www.nti.org|accessdate=2 November 2022}}</ref> [[Agni-I]] was first tested at Launch Complex-III in [[Chandipur, Orissa|Chandipur]] on 22 May 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dilip|first1=Bobb|last2=Menon|first2=Amarnath K.|date=15 June 1989|title=Agni: India successfully launches its first Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19890615-agni-india-successfully-launches-its-first-intermediate-range-ballistic-missile-816170-1989-06-15|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=India Today|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029071245/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19890615-agni-india-successfully-launches-its-first-intermediate-range-ballistic-missile-816170-1989-06-15 |archive-date=29 October 2021 }}</ref> In 1995, the Government abandoned the plan to move the test range from Chandipur to Baliapal, and instead built a new test site known as Launch Complex-IV at Abdul Kalam Island.<ref name="NTI" />

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was appointed as the first director of the Integrated Test Range in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bisoyi|first1=Sujit Kumar|title=Wheeler Island renamed after Missile Man|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Wheeler-Island-renamed-after-Missile-Man/articleshow/48832901.cms|access-date=28 November 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Following the successful demonstration of the [[Prithvi (missile)|Prithvi]] missile in October 1993, the [[Indian Army]] requested the DRDO to conduct a [[Presumptive and confirmatory tests|confirmatory test]] on a land range to validate [[Circular error probable|circular error probability]]. The Army was not convinced that the missile met the specified 150 meters accuracy, and wanted it fired on land to clearly view its impact point.<ref name = "Shukla"/><ref name="Bagla"/> The DRDO was unable to conduct the test at its desert range in [[Rajasthan]] because of concerns about range safety and geopolitical issues, and ruled out the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] because they were far from the mainland.<ref name = "Pioneer"/> The agency decided to seek an uninhabited island off India's east coast to resolve the issue. The [[Indian Navy]] supplied DRDO with a [[Hydrographic survey|hydrographic]] map on which Kalam spotted three small islands off [[Dhamra|Dhamra's]] coast, which were marked on the map as Long Wheeler, Coconut Wheeler and Small Wheeler.<ref name="Bagla" /><ref name=":0" />

Kalam sent scientists Dr [[V. K. Saraswat]] and Dr [[S.K. Salwan]] to locate the islands. The team hired a boat from Dhamra for {{INRConvert|250|year=1993}}, and armed with a directional [[compass]], set off to locate the islands. However, they became lost and were unable to find the island until they came across some fishing vessels. The fishermen stated that they had not heard of Wheeler Island but provided directions to a nearby island they referred to as "Chandrachood", which they thought could be Wheeler Island. After Saraswat and Salwan reached "Chandrachood island", they confirmed that it was the same as Small Wheeler island on the map, and that it had the appropriate dimensions to host a missile testing facility. The team had to remain overnight on the island surviving only on bananas. In ''[[Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India]]'' (2002), Kalam wrote, "to their surprise they [Saraswat and Salwan] found a Bangladeshi flag flying atop a tree, as the island may have been frequented by fishermen from the neighbouring country. My friends quickly removed the flag".<ref name="Bagla">{{Cite news|last=Bagla|first=Pallava|date=2 August 2015|title='Kalam Island' should be the new name of Wheeler Island|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kalam-island-should-be-the-new-name-of-wheeler-island/articleshow/48315207.cms|access-date=2021-11-29}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 July 2006|title=Kalam to visit his 'theatre of action'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kalam-to-visit-his-theatre-of-action/articleshow/1705273.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708163015/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com:80/india/Kalam-to-visit-his-theatre-of-action/articleshow/1705273.cms |archive-date=8 July 2015 }}</ref> Kalam received clearance from then [[Minister of Defence (India)|Defence Minister]] (and [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]) [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]] to acquire the island, and wrote a letter to then Odisha Chief Minister [[Biju Patnaik]] requesting the use of the islands.<ref name = "Pioneer">{{Cite web|date=29 July 2015|title=Wheeler Islands: Kalam's association remembered|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2015/state-editions/wheeler-islands-kalams-association-remembered.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Pioneer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129015733/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2015/state-editions/wheeler-islands-kalams-association-remembered.html |archive-date=29 November 2021 }}</ref>

The DRDO had received indications that there were several reasons why the Chief Minister's Office would not be willing to allocate the island. Kalam received a meeting with Patnaik ten days after his request. According to Kalam, "When we reached his office, the file was in front of him. Chief Minister Biju Patnaik ''ji'' said, Kalam, I have decided to give all the five islands at no cost to you [DRDO], but I will sign the file of approval only when you give me a promise. Chief Minister held my hand and said, I have an invitation to visit [[China]]. I will visit only when you promise that you will make a missile that will reach China. I said, Chief Minister Sir, definitely, we will work for it. I immediately informed our Defence Minister. Chief Minister signed the file and I got the island, particularly the Small Wheeler island."<ref name="Bagla" /> The Odisha government leased the islands to DRDO for 99 years.<ref name="Shukla">{{Cite news|last=Shukla|first=Ajai|date=2013-09-14|title=Wheeler Island readies for Agni-5 missile launch|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/wheeler-island-readies-for-agni-5-missile-launch-113091400737_1.html|access-date=2021-11-29}}</ref> Kalam referred to the island as his "Theatre of Action".<ref name="HT1">{{cite web|title=Odisha's Wheeler Island to be renamed after APJ Abdul Kalam|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/odisha-s-wheeler-island-to-be-renamed-after-apj-abdul-kalam/story-UJrAAJLAtjgOWDaO5l3j5H.html|website=Hindustan Times|accessdate=2 November 2016|date=4 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="India Today1">{{cite web|title=Odisha government renames Wheeler Island as Abdul Kalam Island|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/odisha-government-renames-wheeler-island-as-abdul-kalam-island/1/465811.html|website=India Today|accessdate=2 November 2022}}</ref>

The first missile test conducted on Abdul Kalam Island was the successful test of the Prithvi missile on 30 November 1993. All three armed forces services chiefs witnessed the event. Dr. S.K. Salwan stated that "the entire Island was on fire after the strike, which had hit bullseye".<ref name="Bagla" /> The missile test had an accuracy of 27 meters, which was far more accurate than the Army's required 150 meters. A granite memorial called Prithvi Point stands at the location of the original impact point of the test.<ref name="Shukla" /> Wheeler Island was uninhabited when it was allocated to the DRDO.<ref name="HT1" /><ref name="India Today1" /> Since the construction of the Integrated Test Range, entry to Abdul Kalam Island is restricted for the general public, and only DRDO personnel and Defence Ministry officials are permitted to travel to the island.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=Imran|date=3 January 2001|title=Two remote cameras stolen from Wheeler Island missile base|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jan/03oris2.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Rediff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010208170955/http://www.rediff.com:80/news/2001/jan/03oris2.htm |archive-date=8 February 2001 }}</ref> Some journalists have also visited the island. The island is largely empty for most of the year and manned only by security staff, but may host thousands of scientists, technicians and other staff during missile tests.<ref name="Shukla" />

The test facility includes a launch pad, missile assembly/checkout buildings, and several administrative, and support buildings. The facility is only accessible by ship, as there is no airport or bridge connecting the island to the mainland. It does have a small helipad, but missile airframes and all supplies, construction materials and heavy equipment arrive by ship. Abdul Kalam Island also has a 2.3 kilometer long railway line which connects the missile assembly buildings and is used to carry missile airframes from the pier to the launch pad.<ref name="GlobSec" /> The island also has residential and other facilities for DRDO scientists and staff.<ref name=":0" />

==Biodiversity==
Abdul Kalam Island is located close to the [[Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary]], the world's largest [[rookery]] of the endangered [[olive ridley sea turtle]]. Abdul Kalam Island's sandy beaches are a favoured nesting location for the turtles. The bright lights installed at the missile testing facility on the island caused some baby turtles to get lost as they were attracted towards the lights. Many baby turtles would fail to find their way to sea, and some died as a result. To protect the turtles, all lights at the facility are dimmed or masked during nesting season, and missile testing is restrained during the turtles' nesting and breeding season.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam helped save Odishas Olive Ridley turtles|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/apj-abdul-kalam-odisha-olive-ridley-turtles/1/454738.html|website=India Today|accessdate=2 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Kalam Island' should be the new name of Wheeler Island|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kalam-island-should-be-the-new-name-of-wheeler-island/articleshow/48315207.cms|website=The Economic Times|accessdate=2 November 2022}}</ref> The DRDO stated that around 150,000 olive ridley turtles had laid eggs on Abdul Kalam Island's beaches in February-March 2013 and that the number of turtles was growing.<ref name="Shukla" />

In May 2013, increasing concern has been drawn to the change of the island's [[topography]], owing to sand erosion. Since the island is technically a [[shoal]], seawater frequently causes sand-shifting. The DRDO sought the assistance of geological experts from [[National Institute of Ocean Technology]] to monitor the situation.<ref name=toi9>{{cite news|title=India's lone missile test-firing range Wheeler Island face sand erosion|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-11/india/39185942_1_sand-bar-drdo-wheeler-island|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609001408/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-11/india/39185942_1_sand-bar-drdo-wheeler-island|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=11 May 2013 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Agni-IV.jpg|DRDO conducting the [[Agni-IV]] demonstration on Dr Abdul Kalam Island
File:AAD Launch Crop.jpg|Advanced Air Defence Launch from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Dr Abdul Kalam Island
File:Akash SAM.jpg|Akash Missile Launch from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Dr Abdul Kalam Island

</gallery>

==See also==

* [[Guided missiles of India]]
* [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme]]
* [[Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/india/wheeler-imagery.htm Wheeler Island Missile Facility] at Globalsecurity.org

{{Odisha}}

[[Category:Memorials to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam|Island]]
[[Category:Islands of Odisha]]
[[Category:Weapons test sites]]
[[Category:Indian nuclear test sites]]

Abdul Kalam Island - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 17:19, 13 August 2023