Port Blair, Oct 22: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands along with group of Mahila Morcha met with Smti. Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister on 18.10.2018 at ANC HQ, Port Blair. During meeting, the pending defence projects of A&N Islands were taken up by the MP and other security concerned matters were discussed by the MP with the Minister and requested to expedite the same. The Minister assured to look into the matter, in which the matters are being examined in the interest of safety and security. Issues like Extension of Naval Air station at Shibpur, Diglipur, N&M Andaman from 1000 mtrs to 3050 and extension of Campbell Bay airport from 1000 mtrs to 3050 mtrs in which principal approval already accorded on 24th May, 2016 and awaiting for CRZ clearance. Setting up of new Airports of Defence at Kakana village, Nancowry islands. Settlement of land disputes at Kamorta island as this lands are belongs to Tribal since pre-independence and required payment of compensation. Road connectivity from Gandhi Nagar to Ramnagar under Diglipur Tehsil in North Andaman for total length of 103 kms for coastal security and development of tourism etc. Providing squad drones for constant vigilance. Remote left out sensitive islands to be covered with helipads by opening more LOPs as the late President Dr. Abdul Kalam given statement that no un-inhabitant islands be left in view of security threat. Commission of 03 more coast guard ships with helicopters for coastal surveillances for 12 months sea worthy etc. Arrangements for laying of foundation stones by the PM for extension of Shibpur and Campbell Bay Airport from 1000 mtrs to 3050 mtrs.
Urgent Resurfacing of Port Blair airport which is being developed as International Airport since the present runway has outlived its design and unsafe. Therefore, there is urgent need to upgrade the runway and the work may be executed by the Ministry of defence. Resurfacing of Naval airport at Car Nicobar, since the airport has been damaged during Tsunami and no resurfacing work was taken up after Tsunami which is pending in the Ministry for sanction were discussed.
