Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, August 21: The Lt Governor Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Professor Jagdish Mukhi has successfully completed one year in office. Addressing a Press Conference at Megapode Nest Resort at 12:00pm today, Prof Jagdish Mukhi said that during the year 22nd August 2016 to 21st August 2017, a number of development works have been taken up in these islands.
Talking about GST, the Lt Governor, Prof Mukhi said that more than 3500 business establishments have got registration under the GST system from these Islands with the concerted efforts of the GST Department, District Administration and co-operation of the local businessmen.
Briefing about the Developmental Works of Health Department Prof Mukhi said that Administration has decided to set up a Cath lab for angioplasty (Stents) & Cardio Thoracic Surgery facilities for Bypass Surgery in G.B. Pant Sospital in a PPP Mode. Tenders were floated but did not receive proper response. Now, Administration shall purchase the equipment for the Cath Lab and tender in this regard has already been floated.
Prof Mukhi said that the Spinal Surgery facilities have been provided in the GB Pant Hospital and now no patients suffering from Spinal Problems will have to go for treatment to mainland.
Lt Governor said that in Teressa, the PHC has been shifted to newly constructed building and a Primary Health Center has been opened in Katchal, Island, two more Dialysis Units have been Established in GB Pant Hospital and construction work for 30 bedded wards for eye patients, 20 Burn patients and 10 bedded wards for cancer patients at G.B. Pant hospital is likely to be completed in few weeks and will start operating soon.
Prof Mukhi further also told about the Development that took place to improve the Tourism in these Islands, he said that from August 2016 to July 2017, 4.65 Lakhs tourists visited these Islands, which is an increase of 33.87% percent from the previous year.
The Lt Governor, Prof Mukhi said that to cope up with the accommodation facilities for Tourists, the administration is constructing Tented accommodation and tree Houses facilities in various tourism places, to promote eco-tourism in these Islands. He said that works for floating HDPE jetties has started in Ross & Smith and Avis Island.
Prof Mukhi said that work for demarcation of the sea beaches by marking buoys in Avis Island, Ross & Smith, Lalaji Bay and Mark Bay has started.
The re-development of Viper Island has already started in order to preserve and protect the historical legacy and boats connecting Ross, Viper and North Bay are being restarted. Prof Mukhi said.
Talking about the major problem of these islands, which is connectivity the Lt Governor said that the tender for Rs 1102 crores undersea cable work from Chennai to Port Blair has been floated on 7th July 2017 by Government of India and work is expected to be allotted shortly. He said that even though after spending a huge amount of money the BSNL has successfully added some bandwidth and now network seems to be good in these Islands.
Talking about power, which is the talk of the town at present, the Lt Governor said that the Union Home Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Solar Power Plants of 17MW capacity at Manglutan and 8MW at Chidyatapu on 07th April 2017.
He said that Rooftop Solar Power Plants has been set up in 18 government buildings, which are providing 01MW power.
Prof Mukhi further said that Rooftop Solar Power Plants will be set up in all the State and Central Government building, Schools, Hospital and Judiciary Building across the Islands in a phase manner by Solar Corporation of India, New Delhi’. In this regard, tender for installation of 11MW Rooftop Solar Power Plants have already been floated.
Prof Mukhi further said that approval has been obtained for installation of Solar Power Plants in 1000 houses in the islands for which 70 percent subsidy will be provided. The central Government has provided Rs 2.40 crores and the project will start this month itself. This will generate 02 MW power’.
Prof Mukhi appealed the islanders to take the benefit of the same.
Further talking about the lifeline of these Islanders i.e Shipping Sector, Prof Mukhi said that the A & N Administration has ordered four big ships (two Mainland and two inter island) with Cochin Shipyard Ltd. And the construction of these vessels is progressing as per schedule.
The Lt Governor said that four smaller harbour crafts of 150 passenger capacity are ready and will reach the Islands, once the weather is clear.
Six 250 passenger capacity vessels are under construction at Bharathi Shipyard Ltd. In Mangalore. Construction work is progressing as per schedule and the vessels are expected to be delivered by March/April 2018. Prof Mukhi said.
In Fisheries Sector, Prof Mukhi said that the Administration is constructing Fish Landing Centers at Havelock, Campbell Bay, Hut Bay and Katchal which is going to completed shortly and construction of Ice plant and cold Storage at Panighat and new Ice Plant at Mayabunder is under Progress.
Prof Mukhi also briefed about the Bridges and Roads and said that the work for construction and widening of the 83 kms of National Highway-4 i.e. 33kms from 12 km to 45 km and 50kms from 240 km to 290 km has started by the central government with cost of Rs 383 crores and tender for 77 kms of NH-4 i.e. 31 kms from 107 kms to 138 kms and 46 kms from 194 kms to 240 kms are being floated.
Prof Mukhi added that the construction work for the Humphrey Strait Bridge with an estimate of Rs 202.90 crores has already commenced and tender for the second bridge at Middle Strait has already been floated. This bridge will cost Rs 205 crores. The technical bid for engaging consultant for preparation of DPR for the Chatam-Bambooflat Bridge is under evaluation. Prof Mukhi said.
The Lt Governor further said that the matter of establishing a Central University is under the consideration of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and also said that a new Polytechnic has been sanctioned and will start during the academic year 2018-2019 at Diglipur.
Further the Lt Governor also told the Media about the development activities going to take place in the Agriculture sector, PBMC, Civil Supplies, APWD & Andaman Nicobar Police and Civil Aviation.
