Port Blair, Aug 16: The 78th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across the Islands on August 15, 2024. The main function was held at the historic Netaji Stadium wherein the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) hoisted the National Tricolour and took the salute of the Independence Day Parade. The parade and Guard of Honour comprised of Contingents from A&N Command, A&N Police and school students. The Defence helicopter showered flower petals at Netaji Stadium, the venue of the main function of the Independence Day celebration. The function was attended by the First Lady, A&N Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Commander-in-Chief, A&N Command, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM VM, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, DGP, Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, Chairperson, PBMC, Shri. Sudeep Rai Sharma, family members of Ex- Andaman Political Prisoners’ Fraternity Circle, Senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration, public representatives and general public.
Addressing the Islanders on the occasion, the Lt. Governor extended his best wishes on the 77th anniversary of Independence. He expressed his gratitude to all the fighters of the freedom struggle who made supreme sacrifices for the cause of the motherland and also paid tributes to those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the defense of the country in later years.
The Lt. Governor further said that under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the schemes of the IDA, the development of the Islands has gained new momentum besides many historic and revolutionary projects are important initiatives in the direction of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The Lt. Governor stated that with more than Rs 1.1 lakh crore investments in infrastructure in the last 6-7 years through IDA projects alone, this strategically important archipelago for the country is fast moving towards becoming a ‘Global Growth and Investment Destination’.
Apart from this, several thousand crores have been invested by the A&N Administration in different projects like Rutland Water Projects, new airport terminal etc. In recent months, the mainstream media has published the detailed reports about our many Revolutionary Government Projects not only at the National but also at the International level, the Lt. Governor remarked.
Informing about the IDA completed projects in A&N Islands, the Lt. Governor informed that despite distance from the mainland and logistical challenges, 15 out of 44 (34 percent) IDA projects have become fully operational. Ambitious projects like CANI Submarine OFC Project, Azad Hind Fauj Bridge on Humphrey Strait etc. have proved to be game changers in the multifaceted development of the Islands, which have also had a significant impact on the ease of living, the Lt. Governor added.
Mentioning about the IDA ongoing projects, the Lt. Governor said that there are 29 IDA projects (66%) which are poised to take the development of the Islands to newer heights, as they are inching towards completion. He said that the aviation sector is witnessing far-reaching changes which will have an unprecedented impact on tourism and the economy of the Islands.
The Lt. Governor said due to the tireless efforts of the A&N Administration for fleet upgradation of helicopters, a large capacity Sikorsky Helicopter having 12 passenger capacity has reached Port Blair and the tials are going on. It will be used in regular flights as soon as the remaining codal formalities are completed. Similarly, as a result of our continuous efforts for international flights, Kuala Lumpur-Port Blair international flight is proposed in the coming November which will bring a paradigm shift in the air connectivity, the Lt. Governor added.
The Lt. Governor further stated that the work is in progress to start Fixed Wing Aircraft services under RCS-UDAN in the next few months by Flybig Charter Operator in Port Blair-Shibpur Sector. Security vetting of the Terminal has been completed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in Car Nicobar, said the Lt. Governor adding that the construction of Helipads at Sagar Dweep and Hanspuri and successful night landing of Airbus A321 aircraft by Air India are important for expansion of air services in these Islands. Additionally, sea-plane operations from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island sectors in a phased manner, will further strengthen connectivity in these Islands, the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor informed that under the tourism, hospitality and services sector, Megapode, 4 Islands project, 11-site development, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose National Memorial, eco-friendly resort in PPP mode on Radhanagar Beach of Swaraj Dweep and Heritage Tourism Circuit in Chatham, Viper and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island will be developed, efforts for which are being made by the A&N Administration. To establish A&N Islands as a tourist destination and Premier Scuba Diving Center on the global map, the A&N Administration is moving towards setting three Guinness World Records in the month of November, the Lt. Governor said adding that approval has also been received recently to allow entry of tourists with e-Visa through port.
Informing about the IDA Clearance Projects, the Lt. Governor said that IDA has many such ambitious projects, which are in various stages of process like various Clearances, Consultancy Reports, DPR, EIA etc. As per the direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, many visionary projects involving investment of more than Rs. 92,000 crore in important GNI projects like establishment of International Container Transshipment Terminal, Power Plant and Township will be undertaken which will establish A&N Islands as an economic hub and also prove to be a force-multiplier in establishing India’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Lt. Governor stated that International Container Transshipment Terminal development project is moving towards its goal with the encouraging response of 11 Expression of Interests, which also includes foreign countries. Apart from GNI, for a new Greenfield Airport in Port Blair too, the Final Site Selection and LiDAR Survey have been completed at both the places and further process is underway, the Lt. Governor said.
Under IDA Intangible, the Lt. Governor stated that apart from these, many projects come under the category of Policy Decisions, whose intangible benefits will prove to be benchmark in the coming times for the all-round development of the Islands, having a multifaceted impact on the economy. Under this category, 30 Islands are exempted from Restricted Area Permit and the facility of Visa-on-Arrival/e-visa has proved important for tourism. To increase exports of fisheries and marine products, the A&N Administration is working towards creating trade links with South-East Asian countries through direct sea and air transport.
The Lt. Governor stated that, along with IDA, the A&N Administration has taken several initiatives for the welfare of the Islanders. He said during the last six months, benefits worth Rs 6 crore were given to 12,281 beneficiaries in the Islands under the PM-Kisan scheme. Under Smart City Mission, 7 projects worth Rs 40 crore viz. 20 e-Buses, 42 KLD capacity Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, LED street lights, Solid Waste Management, Water ATMs and Smart Toilet have been completed, the Lt. Governor said. The water supply in Port Blair has been improved by the ‘Sub-marine Pipeline Project from Rutland crossing the McPherson Strait to Phongi Balu’ with an investment of Rs 92 crore to provide clean drinking water to the Islanders, the Lt. Govenor said.
Referring to the health sector, the Lt. Governor said that the establishment of Integrated Medical Station in remote areas like Campbell Bay and Diglipur respectively and up gradation of Community Health Center to Sub-District Hospital will ensure ease of living in the Islands. Additionally, ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair has also received approval to offer DNB courses in Pediatrics and Anesthesia, the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor further stated that the initiatives like online electricity billing, ANI e-Seva portal, AN Seva 311 Mobile App, Tourist Permit Portal, e-FIR, Online Web Portal for Demarcation and Mutation, Sankalp Portal for Child Care Institutions have played an important role in the direction of e-governance.
Under the shipping sector, the Lt. Governor informed that many initiatives are being taken like development of Deep-water Port in Atlanta Bay of Diglipur, Port Meadows Ship-to-Ship Transshipment and proposal of Ship Construction/Repair Hub for Indo-Pacific region in the Islands will be important in establishing India on the global stage.
The Lt. Governor said that the Police administration of these Islands has earned 1 President’s Medal for Distinguished services and 5 Medals for Meritorious service. South Andaman District has become the First District in the Country whose all Law & Order Establishments are ISO Certified, the Lt. Governor said. In the sports arena, he said that in the 34th National Canoeing Sprint Sub-Junior Championship held in Bhopal, the young players of these Islands have brought glory to the islands by winning 3 silver medals.
Concluding his address, the Lt. Governor extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the marching contingents, school children for participating in the parade. He congratulated all the awardees and hoped that their commitment towards social service will become stronger and stronger. He expressed his gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command for providing assistance and cooperation to the Civil Administration whenever the need arose. The Lt. Governor also appreciated the work being done by the A&N Administration under the leadership of Chief Secretary, DGP and PCCF. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the elected representatives of various parties, other sectors of the society and local bodies, who have given their valuable support to the Administration.
The Lt. Governor assured everyone that under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, he and his Administration are fully committed to the multifaceted development of the Islands, so that #NewAndamans can play their role fully in realizing the dream of a developed India.
Earlier, the Lt. Governor presented President’s Police Medals and Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificates to the recipients for their outstanding contribution in the field of Sports, Health and Environment.
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