Lt. Governor Outlines Developmental Activities Taking Place in Isles

Port Blair, Jan 27: Impressive parade, colourful tableaux, cultural programme, presentation of medals and Commendation Certificates marked 71st Republic Day celebrations in these Islands. The main function for the Republic Day was held at the historic Netaji Stadium wherein the Lt Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) unfurled the National Tricolour as the chief guest.   

In his Republic Day address to the Islanders at the Netaji Stadium, the Lt. Governor greeted the Islanders on the auspicious occasion of 71st Republic Day. Republic Day reminds us about the contribution of our Freedom Fighters and the makers of the Constitution. Our Constitution reminds us of our fundamental rights and duties which we should never forget, he said.

The Lt Governor informed about the important initiatives taken by the A&N Administration for the development of these Islands. He said that on January 17, the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu laid foundations for Feacal Sludge Treatment Plant, Marine Esplanade and Neighborhood Park and launched Smart Meter project and Air Conditioned Buses. The projects taken up through the Island Development Agency (IDA) have witnessed significant transformations. On January 9, the cable laying work of the Optical Fibre Cable Project connecting Port Blair and 7 other Islands started from Chennai, the foundation of which was laid by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to these Islands in December 2018. This project, which will be completed by June 2020, will increase the speed of data and other public services being provided through digital mode. The bandwidth augmentation will be almost 60 times of the present bandwidth and will indeed give a boost to the economic activities, besides bringing transparency in the public services delivery and also improve skill development. This project will be a major step towards ‘Digital India’, the Lt. Governor added.

The Lt. Governor further said that with the support of the NITI Aayog, four big Eco-Tourism projects will be developed on PPP mode which is in RFQ stage. Under these eco-tourism projects, 60 percent jobs will be made available to the local youth of these Islands and have the provision for International parameters such as GRIHA, LEED and GREEN GLOBE.

The Lt. Governor informed about the 6th IDA meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah on Jan 13 in which important decisions were taken on the upcoming projects which will have far reaching changes.       

The Lt. Governor said that the first Ship to Ship (STS) Transhipment hub in India at Port Meadow, A&N Islands will commence its operations soon as an agreement in this regard has been executed in the month of January, 2020, which will be profitable from the first year itself. Once the operations starts, about 40 lakh MT of cargo is expected to be transhipped every year and revenue generation will increase to 20-40 crores per annum, he said.      

The Lt. Governor said a direct business link has been established with the ASEAN Countries by the Central Govt. through a Joint Task Force and construction materials have started arriving. Through this initiative, not only the cost of living will be reduced but it will also accelerate economic development through tourism and business. 

The Lt. Governor said that bidding process has started for four routes under ‘UDAN’ Scheme. Water aerodromes are being developed for the smooth operation of Sea Planes. The project report for development of two Green Field Airports, one at Port Blair and the other at Campbell Bay will be submitted by the Consultant within two months. The new Airport Terminal Complex at Port Blair will be completed this year itself. There is also a proposal to upgrade the fleet strength of Pawan Hans Helicopters, which will improve the Inter Island connectivity.

The Lt. Governor informed about the proposed Modern Container Transhipment Port to be set at South Bay in Great Nicobar Island due to its closeness to the International Shipping Corridor. The A&N Administration has invited Expression of Interest for the establishment of the Container Transhipment Port under PPP Mode and the process for selecting developers is underway.

The Lt. Governor said by making Andaman Trunk Road (NH-4) a double lane and the coming up of two bridges at Humphrey and Middle Strait will reduce the travel time from Diglipur to Port Blair significantly.

The final Forest Clearance for the stage- II (5.160KM) of the North- South road leading to Indira Point at Great Nicobar has been received. During the year 2019, the construction and improvement of more than 18 KMs of rural roads have been completed which is an important step towards infrastructure Development, the Lt. Governor added. Along with these important transformational projects, all the Departments of the A&N Administration are activly executing various other developmental projects for the benefit of the Islanders, he added.

The Lt. Governor said that for power generation, the Administration is focusing more on renewable and clean energy power plants and moving towards de-dieselization. The Administration has planned for de-dieselization from current 9% to 93% within three years time for which different energy efficiency projects have been undertaken. ‘Energy Management Centre’ is being established at Port Blair to regulate the Power Sector.   

The Lt. Governor said, 50 Health Centres have been converted into Health & Wellness Centres in these Islands while 22,148 beneficiaries have been registered under ‘Dulari Scheme’ in the year 2019.   

In the Education sector, 162 Smart Classes are being established under ‘Samagra Shiksha’ 2019-20. The parents can now see the Online Health Cards of the students up to class 5th in public domain. Altogether, 74 new playgrounds will be developed, out of which 16 playgrounds will be created with lighting facilities. 

‘Aberdeen Police Station’ has been selected as the ‘Best Police Station’ in the Country. Constable K.P. Mammu of Fire Services won the Gold medal in the 21st Asia Master’s Athletic Championship held in Malaysia. Under the ‘Tourist Police Eco-system Scheme’, a Tourist Police Kiosk was inaugurated at Corbyn’s Cove Beach in the month of September 2019, he mentioned. 

The Lt. Governor said, the Vice President, during his recent visit to these Islands, inaugurated the beautiful Nature Park & Interpretation Centre at Haddo in which the mesmerising Butterfly Conservatory and Orchid Park has become the centre of attraction for the visitors.

In the Fisheries sector, 12 Fish Landing Centres at different Islands, 10MT Ice Plant at Danapur, Mayabunder and 5 MT Ice Plant at Chunna Bhatta Panighat have been completed. The Lt. Governor said, better Urban Oriented Public Transport Shuttle Service, E- rickshaw & two wheeler vehicle services were started at Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep Islands since August 2019. The air-conditioned buses have been equipped with CCTV cameras and Global Positioning System. Recently, the Govt. of India has also awarded the State Transport Department of A&N Islands for their best green initiatives in Urban Transportation, he added. 

Under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme, 312 beneficiaries have been sanctioned loan amounting to Rs. 84.99 lakh. 12 new Scuba Dive Centres were registered and permissions were also accorded for a new ‘Sea Walk’ and ‘Parasailing Centre’ last year. Adventure water sports activity named ‘Seakart’ has also started at Corbyn’s Cove during December 2019, he said. 

The Lt. Governor said that the construction and extension work of 46 ‘Anganwadi Centres’ and ‘Working Women Hostels’ at Rangat and Car Nicobar have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

He further informed that a Water Treatment Plant and CWR/Stoarge tanks have been developed in these Islands. A Sewarage System at a cost of Rs. 241 crores will be created in Port Blair. The renovation work of water bodies including reuse and Borewell Recharge Structures related works totalling to 70 have been completed. Rain Water Harvesting system has to be adopted in all the new building constructions in future. Water ATMs have been established by the PBMC as a pilot project while more water ATMs will be installed in 15 different tourist places. An open air gym was created at Bhatubasti last month, he said. 

The Lt. Governor said, the Administration is committed to make these Islands beautiful, hygienic and plastic free. Plastic is also being used in road construction work, he added.   

The Lt Governor also lauded the efforts of A&N Command for their support to the Civil Administration during natural calamities and emergency situations. The Lt. Governor said 68 poachers and 10 narcotic smugglers were nabbed during the 5 different anti poaching operations.

The Lt. Governor also thanked the Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, elected representatives, Tribal Councils, PRIs, all political parties and the people of A&N Islands for their contribution in the development of the Islands.

The Lt. Governor also lauded all the Departments of the A&N Administration functioning under the leadership of the Chief Secretary for taking up various development activities for the benefit of the Islanders. “Me and my Administration are fully committed towards the development of these Islands”, the Lt. Governor said.

The Lt. Governor also congratulated the recipients of the Commendation Certificate, marching contingents of impressive parade, School students and tableaux for their performance.

The Lt. Governor concluded his speech by calling  upon all the Islanders to pledge for further strengthening the Unity and Integrity of the country and work for the mission through which the people of ‘New Andamans’ can actively contribute towards fulfilling the vision of ‘New India’. He also reiterated the commitment of the Administration for all-round development of A&N Islands.      

Earlier, the Lt. Governor presented Home Minister’s Medals to Head Constable, Shri S. Ramni and Constable, Shri Pannalal Ghosh of Police Department. Nine persons who were awarded the LG’s  Commendation Certificate are Folk Singer Shri Birendra Kishore Talukdar, Engineer & Technician, Smt. Mukta Jagdish, Office Assistant of ICMR, Shri Jag Jeevan Ram, Head Constable, A&N Police, Shri Christopher Joshua, Lecturer (Civil) from DBRAIT, Smti S. Raji, Sailor from Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Vijit’, Shri S Bera, Police Inspector, A&N Police, Shri Mahesh kumar Yadav, Constable, A&N Police Fire Service, Shri Mahendra Dhanwar and the Senior Investigator, Planning Section of the Secretariat, Shri P. L. Christopher.

Before arriving at the Netaji Stadium for the main function, the Lt. Governor visited National Memorial Cellular Jail and placed wreath at the ‘Martyr’s Column’ there.

The First Lady of these Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Smt. Vinita Sharma, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi, Adhyaksh ZPSA, Shri Subir Chander, DGP, Shri Dependra Pathak, Chairperson, PBMC, Shri NK Udhaya Kumar, Padmashree Awardee, Shri Naresh Chander  Lal, State President BJP, Shri Ajoy Bairagi, Ex-MP, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Ex-State President BJP, Shri Vishal Jolly, senior officers from defence & civil Administration, PRI members, Councillors of PBMC, representatives of political parties  and large number of general public also attended the main function of Republic Day celebration at Netaji Stadium.

The main attraction of the Republic Day was the march past, in which the contingents of Defence Forces, Police, NCC, troops from School (Boys & Girls) participated. The breathtaking daredevil motorcycle show presented by IRBn personnel impressed one and all present in the Stadium. The team showcased its driving skills with daredevil aerobatics like salute, lotus formation, and pistol position on move, beam roll, ladder formation and all round defence, drawing the loudest cheers from the audience as well as dignitaries.   

The tableaux displaying various activities of different Departments of the Administration also formed part of the parade. These included Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Shipping, Election Department, Environment & Forests, Fisheries, Health Services and Police Fire Service, which showcased the fire fighting & rescue operation by the police fire personnel.  

The cultural programme presented by school children on the theme unity and integrity added grandeur to the Republic Day function at Netaji Stadium, which concluded with the National Anthem.