Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 31 : Zilla Parishad Member from Subhash Gram constituency in North and Middle Andaman, Mr. Pradip Das, has urged the authorities to start the long-awaited fixed-wing air service between Diglipur and Sri Vijaya Puram at the earliest. He stated that the proposed air connectivity would significantly improve transportation facilities for island residents while providing a major boost to tourism, trade, and employment opportunities in North Andaman.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Das said that Diglipur is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to its natural beauty, beaches, and eco-tourism potential. However, the region has not been able to attract the desired number of tourists because of the long and time-consuming road journey from Sri Vijaya Puram.
According to him, regular air connectivity would drastically reduce travel time and make Diglipur more accessible to visitors. He pointed out that the airport infrastructure at Diglipur is already ready, with the runway completed and operational requirements largely in place. Despite this, the commencement of commercial flight services has been repeatedly delayed.
Mr. Das noted that for the past several years, local residents have been hearing assurances from officials of the Civil Aviation Department that the service would begin within a few months. Similar assurances have reportedly been given over the last two to three years, yet the air service has not materialized.
He emphasized that once the fixed-wing service becomes operational, passengers would be able to travel between Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur in less than an hour, compared to the much longer journey by road. Such connectivity would greatly benefit students, patients, businesspersons, government officials, and the general public.
The Zilla Parishad member further stated that the tourism sector would be among the biggest beneficiaries. Many tourists currently avoid visiting Diglipur due to the lengthy road travel involved. Direct air connectivity would encourage more visitors to explore the region, thereby increasing demand for hotels, guest houses, transport services, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses.
Mr. Das also highlighted the potential employment benefits for local youth. Many young entrepreneurs in Diglipur have invested in vehicles and tourism-related ventures. An increase in tourist arrivals would create additional income opportunities and generate new jobs, helping address unemployment in the region.
Calling the demand both practical and necessary, Mr. Das urged the Administration and the concerned authorities to expedite the process and operationalize the Diglipur–Sri Vijaya Puram fixed-wing air service without further delay. He said the service would play a crucial role in accelerating the economic and tourism development of North Andaman while improving connectivity for residents.
