Port Blair, April 10: The Govt of India is committed towards providing better connectivity to remote areas, especially places like A&N Islands, said the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapati Raju while speaking as the chief guest in the ‘Andaman & Nicobar Civil Aviation Seminar 2015’, held at the mini conference hall of the DBRAIT auditorium, Dollygunj here today. The Minister also reiterated the commitment of Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide better connectivity to the Islanders so that these islands also prosper in all spheres like other states in the Country. “My Ministry is always ready to solve the problems of the Islanders as far as the Civil Aviation Sector is concerned”, he said.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Union Minister said that the construction of the New Airport Terminal has already started, and it will have all the facilities of International standards. The Minister said that Port Blair Airport will soon have night landing facility which will improve the frequency of flights to this picturesque Island. “We are fairly in advanced stage as far as the matters for night landing is concerned”, the Minister added.
The Union Minister said that Air India, the National carrier, which has a great connectivity all over the country, has done India proud on many occasions. He showered all praise for it for evacuating 4000 people from strife hit Yemen. Similarly, the Pawan Hans Ltd in public sector has also done well with regard to the connectivity in remote areas of the country, like these islands the Minister said.
Turning to Tourism sector, the Union Minister expressed contentment that about 3 lakh tourists visited these Islands, which itself has a population close to 4 lakhs, which, he said, is a great achievement.
The Minister showered all praise for the UT Administration for striking a balance between development and environment. “You are promoting tourism by preserving your habitat, pristine beauty and rich biodiversity; this, the Minister said, is a matter of pride for the whole country. While the Islands are doing great in leisure tourism, the adventure tourism is in an ascent stage, the Minister said, suggesting for also considering wildlife tourism in these islands. He exhorted all to work together to take our country to greater heights.
Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour of the seminar, the Lt. Governor, Lt.Gen. (Retd) A.K.Singh reiterated that the Administration has fulfilled the commitments made to the Islanders, ‘commitment made, commitment fulfilled’, and stressed that it was a collective endeavor, which bore fruit in transforming these commitments to reality. In the last one year the Islands have taken progressive leaps in terms of development. The wishful thoughts of people have been transformed into reality, he said. The Lt. Governor also spoke about the viability gap funding model which was tried first in A&N Islands by way of launching the chartered flight connecting Delhi-Port Blair-Car Nicobar. It has indeed boosted the morale of the Tribal population, Administration and Defence Personnel residing in Car Nicobar, the remotest District of the country, said the Lt. Governor.
Turning his attention to various issues and challenges faced in the Aviation Sector such as high air fare in the sectors connecting A&N Islands, the Lt. Governor said, the charter flight service has been introduced with fixed rate for Islanders at Rs. 5000/- for the Port Blair- Chennai sector, while seats are also being reserved for the islanders for emergency purpose. The recently launched flight in Delhi-Vizag- Port Blair sector has finally transformed into reality, fulfilling more than a decade old demand of the Islanders, especially those who frequently travel to Vizag. The introduction of this service, has not only benefitted the people traveling to that area, but also paved way for further business expansion in these Islands, said the Lt. Governor.
The Lt. Governor also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, under whose dynamic leadership, the entire country is in the process of transformation towards development in every sphere, including these Islands. In my meetings with Hon’ble PM, he evinced keen interest in the development of these islands. The Lt. Governor thanked the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapati Raju Pusapati, for his support in materializing the dreams of the Islanders by inaugurating the flight in the Delhi-Vizag-Port Blair sector. He also thanked the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray wholeheartedly, for all his support. The Lt Governor also expressed gratitude to the A&N Command for their constant help and positive support for the cause of the Islanders. He also praised the tireless efforts of the Directorate of Civil Aviation for upgrading the Aviation Sector.
The Lt Governor mentioned that once the night landing permission is obtained, a chartered flight in the Kolkata-Port Blair sector will also start, as Air India has offered to provide a night flight only, for the purpose. The Lt. Governor also informed about the ATR aircraft service for connecting other Islands, viz Diglipur and Campbell Bay through air. The work under Phase 1 for Diglipur airfield strip is in progress, which will also serve the purpose of alternate landing as well, said the Lt. Governor.
The Lt. Governor underlined the need for having an aircraft parking base in Port Blair so that it could be used during any emergency. The Lt. Governor has also requested the Airport Authority of India to upgrade the existing airport terminal. He also touched upon other issues of concern like high air fares etc.
The Lt. Governor also made a special mention of the good service provided by Pawan Hans Ltd and requested them for providing new helicopters replacing the old ones and also to strengthen the existing fleet in the Islands by providing two new helicopters. The Lt. Governor in the end expressed his gratitude to Air India and Pawan Hans for providing their service in these islands and upgrading them to meet our demands.
Presenting his views on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray said these Islands are marching forward under the able guidance & leadership of the Lt Governor who has made meaningful presentations on different sectors before different Ministries in New Delhi to take these Islands in the path of social & economic growth. Shri Ray described Air India as the backbone of these Islands as they have come forward for the help of the stretcher patients on numerous occasions. While praising Go Air for their 30 percent concession in base fare for islanders, Shri Ray urged for similar airfare concessions from Spice Jet and Jet Airways. Shri Ray also urged the Union Minister to consider the possibilities to start Madurai- Chennai- Port Blair flight at the earliest.
In his address, Shri Rohit Nandan, Chairman & MD, Air India Ltd. said that connecting whole of India is the prime concern for the national carrier Air India and we will leave no stone un- turned to fulfill this goal. Air India is doing its best to provide better service & connectivity to the Islanders, Shri Nandan said and assured that the interest of the Islanders and tourists will be taken care of as far as the airfare is concerned. He further stated that once the new Aviation Policy is implemented, many vital issues as far as the connectivity is concerned will be sorted.
In his address, Dr. BP Sharma, Chairman & MD, Pawan Hans Limited said Pawan Hans is very much associated with this Island Territory since 1987. He said that a feasibility study will be carried to start fixed wing aircraft for inter –islands connectivity while new helicopters will join the Islands’ Pawan Hans fleet shortly.
As part of the seminar, a fruitful open discussion session was also organized in which the representatives from the ACCI, Tours & Travels and others were able to put forth their demands for the betterment of the Islanders in particular and the flourishing of Tourism and Aviation Sectors in general. The Chief Secretary in Charge, Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi, through a brief and in depth power point presentation threw light on the available connectivity at present in Island – mainland & inter Island –sectors and the needs of the Islanders in aviation sector for the future. He also put a strong case before the august gathering on the rationalization of airfare on behalf of the Islanders.
The all important seminar was organized by the Directorate of Civil Aviation and the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Adhyaksha, ZPSA, Ms VK Mariyam Bibi, a host of senior officers from the A & N Administration and the Andaman Nicobar Command were present on the occasion.
The seminar, which was coordinated by Shri A. Mehrzad, the General Secretary, Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by its President, Shri G Bhaskar.
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