Port Blair, Feb 15: The Island Development Agency (IDA), an apex body under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Home Minister has taken forward the holistic development of the islands. IDA has mandated NITI Aayog to coordinate and provide guidance of developing holistic master plan and support infrastructure in A&N Islands.

In the first phase, four tourism projects for setting up of beach resort having 220 rooms in Long Island, 70 rooms in Smith Island, 50 rooms in Aves Island and 120 rooms in Shaheed Dweep have been identified. Land measuring 42.2 hectares in Long Island & 9.75 hectares in Shaheed Dweep is offered for a concession period of 60 years and 2.75 hectares land in Aves Island & 25 hectares land in Smith Island is offered for a concession period of 30 years.

Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) and Standing Financial Committee (SFC) in it meetings held on 07.12.2018 and 11.12.2018 respectively granted “in principle” approval for the project of Long, Aves and Smith Island. Accordingly, Request for Qualification (RFQ) was issued on 24^th December, 2018 and pre –application conference was held at Port Blair on 21^st January, 2019. A site visit of the potential investors was also organized during 22 – 24^th January, 2019.  The RFQ document and response to the pre – application clarifications are available on the website http://aniidco.and.nic.in. The last date for submission of RFQ application is 22nd February, 2019. 

To provide impetus to the development of the above tourism projects, A & N Administration has identified few infrastructure projects related to the activity which are being taken up on priority like civil enclave at Shibpur airport, Diglipur, Inter-island air connectivity under UDAN scheme, upgradation of Andaman Trunk Road including construction of bridges at Middle Strait creek and Hanspuri Strait creek, submarine fibre cable project, etc.

A & N Administration shall provide upfront Environment Clearance, CRZ clearance and bar licences for the projects. A & N Administration will also facilitate assistance in obtaining other applicable permits. Accordingly, the CRZ application for tourism projects at Long, Aves and Smith Island was considered by Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of MoEF in its meeting held on 25th January, 2019 and it is under process.  The sub-committee under the chairmanship of EAC, CRZ is visiting Port Blair on 14th February 2019 for site visit. 

The vision is to leverage the potential of the islands and to position them at par with international tourism and trade destinations. Holistic development of the islands will develop the local economy, provide employment and infrastructure service to the local population.