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Port Blair, Dec. 21: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM today inaugurated a series of public welfare and infrastructure development projects during a day-long tour to North & Middle Andaman. The Lt Governor inaugurated three bridges which will provide connectivity to remote and dispersed settlements, a key eco-tourism project- ‘Dhaninallah Mangrove Walkway’, a general pool accommodation complex for government servants at Nimbudera and a new OPD Complex at Dr. RP Hospital, Mayabunder.
Immediately after arrival at Nimbutala, the Lt Governor proceeded for Dhaninallah Mangrove Walkway in Shivapuram Panchayat and inaugurated the eco-tourism initiative undertaken by the Forest Department. The 713 mtrs walkway provides unique opportunity to witness diverse mangrove eco-system found in the Islands in a single place.
Thereafter, the Lt Governor inaugurated two steel bridges at TV Kulam at Betapur and Thoratang Nallah at Swadesh Nagar. The former will connect Shantipur village to the ATR and the latter has replaced a timber bridge on the ATR. The Thoratang steel bridge has been installed in around a month’s time by the APWD by using Army’s technique for building this bridge. The Lt Governor also interacted with the villagers and listened to their grievances.
The Lt Governor then proceeded to Nimbudera and inaugurated a General Pool Accommodation of 18 Type-II quarters. He appreciated APWD for taking up vital rural infrastructure development projects in remote Islands and for timely completion of these projects. He then proceeded to Prafulla Nagar and inaugurated the RCC Bridge over Prafulla Nagar Nallah. This bridge will provide access to the ATR for the villagers of Prafulla Nagar. He interacted with the people of the area and directed the concerned authorities to expedite the road laying work. With the inauguration of the three bridge projects, a road parallel to the ATR connecting villages of Betapur, Dharampur, Pinaki Nagar, Prafulla Nagar and Basantipur to ATR is taking shape. The inauguration of these bridges besides improving the road connectivity to a great extent would considerably accelerate developmental activities in this part of the Islands.
Thereafter, the Lt Governor visited Dr. RP Hospital at Mayabunder and inaugurated the state of art new OPD Complex. The double storied OPD building will have all modern health-care requirements such as Physiotherapy, ECG, Dental, Gynecology and Ophthalmology apart from other usual health services. In addition, the OPD would make a special provision for Homeopathy and Ayurvedic treatment also.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the Administration in providing basic facilities to the people of the Islands, especially in remote Islands. “Our first priority is to ensure that minimum basic amenities such as drinking water, health care services, educational, transport etc. reach the Islanders at various places”, he said. He emphasised on the availability of human resources and better quality of medical treatment to the public. He also directed the health authorities for positing Medical Specialists and creating better health infrastructure facilities in North & Middle Andaman.
The Lt Governor also shared his vision for the 12th Five Year Plan period for the all round development of the N&M Andaman District, which is to provide amenities such as connectivity, treated water supply, power supply and housing in all remote and dispersed settlement, to upgrade the education and health facilities and to provide employment generation through eco-tourism projects such as Dhanninallah Walkway. He stated that N&M Andaman has better potential for tourism development compared to some of the present popular tourism destinations in the Islands and in the days to come, this area will become a major place of tourism attraction. He also laid emphasis on proper upkeep and maintenance of all the newly created assets and ensuring cleanliness of the surrounding areas to preserve the pristine nature of the environment.
The Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, Smt Madhuri Giri, PRI members of the areas, officers of the Administration and members of the public were present on the occasion.
Later, the Lt Governor held a meeting with PRI members and local head of the Offices and directed them to take initiatives that would provide responsive administration which can positively influence the life of the people of the district. He apprised the PRIs about the planned development of the tourism sector of the N&M Andaman by creating road side amenities along the ATR. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner (N&M Andaman) to coordinate and work in close coordination with other departments for effective and quick resolution of public grievances. He stated that he would be holding periodical meetings to review the key developments areas and projects of the district to monitor their progress.