Lt. Governor Admiral DK Joshi Hoists the Tricolour at the State Function at Netaji Stadium
Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 16: The 80th ‘Independence Day’ was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across the Islands on August 15, 2026. The main function was held at the historic Netaji Stadium wherein the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) hoisted the National Tricolour and took the salute of the ‘Independence Day Parade’. The parade and Guard of Honour comprised of Contingents from A&N Command, A&N Police and school students. The Defence helicopter showered flower petals at Netaji Stadium, the venue of the main function of the Independence Day celebration. The Independence Day function was also attended by the First Lady of the A&N Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, CINCAN, Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, DGP, Shri Ravindra Singh Yadav, Chairperson, SVPMC, Smt. Vasantha, Senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration, public representatives, prominent citizens and general public.
Extending heartfelt greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day and saluting the brave hearts who laid down their lives for the nation, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands mentioned about the efforts of the A&N Administration towards a developed India.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that in the last 8-9 years, more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been invested in many ambitious projects under IDA projects, out of which 15 have been completed and the rest are going to be operational soon. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, an ambitious GNI project, including the establishment of a new Green field Airport, International Container Transshipment Terminal, Power Plant and Township, with an investment of approximately Rs.92,000 crore, primarily under the PPP model, is being implemented, which will prove to be a force-multiplier in making the islands an economic hub and establishing India’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that in this direction, LOI of GNI airport costing Rs 14 thousand crores, with an investment of Rs 297 crores, has been issued to a consulting agency, which will ensure EPC contract award, project monitoring and quality control. The DPR of ICTP and updated Master Plan of Township have been prepared, and PPA of Power Plant has been signed. The upcoming processes are also in progress after final site selection and LiDAR survey for the new greenfield airport at Sri Vijaya Puram.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor stated that Letter of Intent has been given on 07.05.2025 to Spice Jet and MEHAIR (P) Ltd. for seaplane services between Sri Vijaya Puram-Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island under UDAN to strengthen air-connectivity. Further, passenger terminals for Fixed Wing Aircraft are ready at Shibpur and Car Nicobar and construction at Campbell Bay is in the final stages.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further said that in the year 2025, 8.13 lakh tourists arrived in the islands, which is the highest record till date. In the first half of 2026 alone, approximately 4.69 lakh tourists arrived, more than the total population of the archipelago, which is 14.5 percent more than last year. Cruise tourism has also picked up again and 1,156 tourists arrived from three cruise ships in the year 2025–26.
Referring to the Guinness World Record, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that it is a matter of pride for us that on May 2 and 3, two scuba diving Guinness World Records were established by making the largest National Flag of 2,400 square meters and a human pyramid 22.3 meters high under the sea at Radhanagar Beach. He mentioned that on Aug. 13, individual Guinness World Record Certificates and Medals were given to all the divers who participated in GWR. This historic achievement takes our archipelago’s reputation as a global scuba diving destination to new heights. Additionally, ‘Little Andaman Pro-2026’ organized under the National Surfing Festival has given Little Andaman a new identity as a global premier high-value surfing and adventure tourism hub.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor remarked that in the tourism sector, PPP agreements have been executed for the development of 5 Star Eco-Tourism Resorts at Long Island, Avis Island, Shaheed Dweep and Megapode Resort for world-class hospitality facilities. Feasibility reports on PPP model for 18-hole Golf Course at Rangachang, 5-Star Resort and Business Hotel at Hornbill Estate and Boutique Resort, Adventure Park and Glamping at Radhanagar are ready and RFP will be issued soon. Three beaches, Raman Bagicha, Karmatang and Ramnagar have also received ‘Blue Flag Pilot Status’ for the development of world class tourist destinations and the target is to achieve full ‘Blue Flag Status’ this year, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor added.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor mentioned that under IDA, in line with the target of de-dieselization of the islands, the target is to complete 50 MW LNG based power plant by 2029, for which PPA Agreement has been signed. Apart from this, as a result of our proposals, a feasibility study will be conducted for the establishment of Floating Small Modular Reactor upon the arrival of experts from BARC, NPCIL and Ministry of Power this month, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor added.
He stated that due to our continuous efforts since the year 2017-18 and as a result of including this topic in the agenda of 5th and 6th meetings of IDA, it was decided to open 3.81 lakh square km No-Go-Zone area for Offshore Oil exploration. The new impetus to Deep-Water Hydrocarbon exploration in the Andaman Basin under the ‘Samudra Manthan’ initiative is an important achievement towards natural gas exploration. With further exploration and assessment, the Andaman region will be developed as a Natural Gas and Offshore Energy Hub, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further said that under the Smart City Mission, 11 major projects worth Rs.350.12 crore have been completed, which include 20 electric buses, 42 KLD Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, Marine Road reconstruction and Integrated Command and Control Center and Parks. Additionally, Corbyn’s Cove Beach Development, Working Women’s Hostel and Marine Esplanade projects are in the final stages.
In the Fisheries Sector, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, 32 Artificial Reef Units and Integrated Modern Fishing Harbor of Mayabunder have been sanctioned with Rs.199.24 crore with 100% Central Financial Assistance.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also disclosed that after the feasibility report of IIT Chennai for Deep Water Multipurpose Port in Atlanta Bay, Diglipur, Techno-Economic Report and Business Plan is being prepared through Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, the final form of which is expected next month. Following Expression of Interest (EOI) for Yacht Marina at Sri Vijaya Puram, private sector has shown interest and 10–15 hectares of Waterfront land are being identified, he added.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further informed that to strengthen sea connectivity and replace old ships, the Administration is purchasing 11 new ships. The MoU with SCI to charter 29 vessels for a period of 5 years in the next 2–3 years is in the final stages. This year, contracts for 3 harbor ferries have been awarded, of which 2 have been deployed at Long Island and Diglipur and the third is likely to be deployed by October–November 2026.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor informed that 100% target of inclusion of families under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has been achieved. Under the National Tuberculosis Eradication Programme, all interested tuberculosis patients have been linked to Nikshay Mitra assistance and 14 Gram Panchayats have been declared tuberculosis-free.
In the sports sector, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor informed that in the year 2026, players from the archipelago have performed remarkably in national level competitions and earned a total of 15 medals. These include 1 bronze in weightlifting in Khelo India Tribal Games-2026, 1 Gold, 5 Silver and 11 Bronze medals in ASMITA Women’s League and various Rowing Championships. Similarly, Islands has also won 1 Gold and 1 silver medal in Asian Cycling Championships. This achievement reflects the continued development of sporting talent in the archipelago and the growing competitiveness of players at the national level, he added.
Concluding his address, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the marching contingents, school children for participating in the parade. He congratulated all the awardees and hoped that their commitment towards social service will become stronger and stronger. He expressed his gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command under the guidance of CINCAN, for providing assistance and cooperation to the Civil Administration whenever the need arose. The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also appreciated the work being done by the A&N Administration under the leadership of Chief Secretary, DGP and PCCF and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the representatives of various organizations and citizens from other sections of the society who have given their valuable support to the Administration. The Hon’ble Lt. Governor reaffirmed his commitment and that of the Administration to the Islands’ modern development, ensuring they play a vital role in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.