Port Blair, November 29: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd), today visited Neil Island. On arrival, the Lt Governor held a meeting with the representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions at the Hawabill Guest House. PRI representatives apprised the Lt Governor about various issues pertaining to Neil Island. These issues were tapping the huge tourism potential of the Island, operation of more boats from Port Blair, starting helicopter services, shortage of English teaching staff in school, providing pure water facilities etc.
The Lt Governor directed the concerned Departments to look into each of the issues on merit and have them resolved in a time bound manner. Thereafter, the Lt Governor also visited the Lakshmanpur beach and the jetty. He directed the Civil Aviation Department to consider operating helicopter services, at least three days in a week. On the issue of shortage of teachers, the Lt Governor directed the Education Department for posting of English teacher earliest. He informed the PRI representatives that work on the Fish Landing Centre at Neil will start shortly. Directions were given to APWD to take up a pilot project for installation of desalination plant at Neil. At the Lakshmanpur beach, the Lt Governor directed the Tourism Department to put up a feasibility report for development of huts and other tourism facilities. Directions were also given to the Port Management Board to speed up the case of extension of Neil jetty and widening of the approach road. He directed that the Administrative approval for this project should be obtained within one week’s time.
Overall, the DC and the PRI members expressed satisfaction at the development work being undertaken and the issues of concern addressed. The Secretary (Agriculture) who accompanied the Lt Governor, briefed the PRI members on the forth coming Organic Mission being launched in Dec-Jan; The CE (APWD) also gave out details and briefed the members on the process of finalization of the Master Plan.
