Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Aug 27: The Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd.) A K Singh today said that from now it would be the endeavour of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to include the name of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Special Consideration list of Government of India.
Addressing a press meet on the special fares announced by GoAir today in the Megapode Nest Conference Hall the Lt. Governor said that it has come to his notice that Andaman’s name is not there in the Special Consideration list of Governor of India.
“We will try to include name of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Special Consideration list, it will be our Endeavour and I am sure that government will understand,” the Lt. Governor said.
He said that tourism is main industry and in future tourism industry has great potential. In Andaman maximum number of people are connected with tourism. Tourists like to visit Andamans and importance of Andamans in tourism industry will increase further in future.
But if someone from Delhi wants to come to Andmans in the month of December and he has to pay Rs.25,000 for one way journey to Andaman, he would prefer to go to Bangkok or Hong Kong. “How tourism industry will grow if there are so much of hike,” he said.
He said that in recently AITO conference it was Administration’s effort to appeal various airlines to have consideration for Andaman and Nicobar. “I am happy that today GoAir has taken this initiate to introduce concessional fare,” he said.
On air connectivity to Vizag, the Lt. Governor said that the administration is considering introducing atleast 2 flights in a week in the Port Blair – Vizag sector initially.
Deliberations are underway and the final package details would be worked in a period of about 90 days. However, considering the significant Telugu population here and the scope of tourist arrivals, the flights would be operated on commercial basis for a period of 6 months initially. “Viability gap funding is a policy decision and the administration proposes to implement the scheme to connect remote parts of these islands by air,” said the LG.
Speaking on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Mr Bishnu Pada Ray urged the administration to expedite the process for introduction of Fixed Wing Aircrafts and construction of Airfields at Hut Bay, Rangat, Campbell Bay and Kamorta. He also pressed for introduction of Late Evening Landing and Early Morning Flights at Port Blair Airport.
Earlier, the Chief Secretary, Mr Anand Prakash highlighted various initiatives of the administration to improve air connectivity in the islands. “Tenders for the new terminal building at Port Blair Airport have already been floated and the Civic Aviation Minister is will soon lay the foundation stone for the project. Similarly, Glide Path to facilitate landing during turbulent weather will also be launched soon. Similarly to provide affordable travel for islanders in the Port Blair and mainland sector, efforts have been accelerated for introduction of charter flight services. The ACCI is examining the proposal for flight connecting Port Blair and Phuket and the administration will support the proposal if found viable,” the CS informed.
