Port Blair, Sept. 6: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, visited Neil Island. On arrival, the Lt Governor held a meeting with the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institution at the Hawabill Guest House. PRI representatives apprised the Lt Governor about the beauty of the Island and submitted that this natural beauty of Neil Island should be preserved at all costs and not allowed to be developed into a concrete jungle. They also apprised the Lt Governor about the huge tourism potential in the Island.

Memorandum was submitted to the Lt Governor, listing out various issues pertaining to Neil Island. These issues were expansion of the main road in Neil Island, posting of a Lady Doctor at the Primary Health Centre, shortage of teaching staff at GSS School, introduction of English medium classes from 6th standard onwards, synchronization of electricity distribution arrangements so as to ensure uninterrupted power supply, introduction of organic farming in the Island, construction of Fish Landing Centre, introduction of Nationalized Bank and ATM facilities, construction of waiting hall at the jetty and improvement in BSNL services.

The Lt Governor directed the Chief Secretary and officers of the concerned Departments to look into each issue and have them resolved in a time bound manner but on merit. He also directed the Chief Secretary to take up with the SBI authorities for early introduction of ATM facilities. Thereafter, the Lt Governor visited various tourist spots/beaches at Bharatpur, Sitapur and Laxmanpur before returning to Port Blair. 

Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, Smt Abala Sammaddar, Commissioner-cum Secretary (APWD), Smt Punya Srivastava and Secretary to LG, Shri S. N. Misra accompanied the Lt Governor during this tour.