Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 27: Impressive parade, colourful cultural programme, presentation of Medals and Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificates marked the 77th Republic Day celebration in A&N Islands yesterday. The main function for the Republic Day was held at the Marina Park Road stretch wherein the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) unfurled the National Flag. The function was attended by the First Lady of the Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, CINCAN, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, AVSM, NM, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, DGP, Shri H.G.S Dhaliwal, IPS, Senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration, public representatives and general public.
In his address to the Islanders, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor greeted the Islanders on the auspicious occasion of 77th Republic Day and said that this day reminds us of the dignity of our Constitution, our democratic values, and our collective responsibilities towards nation-building.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor also paid homage to all the brave heroes of the freedom struggle, whose sacrifices and supreme dedication have enabled us to continuously progress as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic. He further stated that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, while playing our distinctive role in the national resolve of Viksit Bharat, A&N Islands is steadily advancing on the path of development, security, and good governance.
While mentioning about Tourism, Hospitality and Service Sector, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor stated that, compared to the previous year, the total number of tourists as well as foreign tourists visiting the A&N Islands has increased by approximately 14%. Additionally, the number of foreign tourists visiting for game fishing has witnessed a remarkable growth of nearly 35%. This growth is the result of the islands’ natural uniqueness, improved connectivity, and well-planned tourism development, he added.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further disclosed that the Government of India has approved the A&N Administration’s proposal for the development of five-star luxury resorts under PPP mode at Megapode Resort, Aves Island, Shaheed Dweep, and Long Island. These projects will be environmentally sustainable and aligned with international standards. To further promote experience-based tourism, initiatives such as the Barren Island Cruise to the country’s only active volcano, the ‘Dweep Darshan’ Heritage Harbour Cruise have started, besides the notification of 21 Islands for regulated ‘Day Tourism’ have been initiated. Notably, the receipt of five bids for the Yacht Marina project reflects strong investor confidence in high-end marine tourism, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor informed.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor informed that to develop Tourism as an organized, safe, and high-value experience, Policies related to Bird Watching, Caravan Tourism, Luxury Tents, Houseboat Tourism, and Astro Tourism have been notified. Under these initiatives, 95 local youths have been trained as Astro Tourism Guides. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have also been developed for adventure activities such as flyboarding, water jet packs, and submarine scooters, while scuba diving guidelines have been updated in accordance with ISO and World Recreational Scuba Training Council standards, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said adding that a ‘Beach Tourism Policy’ has also been introduced to systematically promote events and activities along the beaches.
To strengthen tourism development, connectivity is being enhanced as a vital foundation, said the Hon’ble Lt. Governor and disclosed that under the UDAN scheme, sea plane services, water aerodrome terminals, helicopter services, and airport expansion works are in progress. Civil terminal facilities at Shibpur and Car Nicobar are ready, while work at Campbell Bay is in its final stages. Sea connectivity is also being strengthened through the development of jetties, ports, and shipping infrastructure, he added.
Informing about the initiatives taken to improve sea connectivity, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that, following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has been entrusted with the construction of four new vessels, each with a capacity of 500 passengers and 150 metric tonnes of cargo, with specifications similar to sister vessels Sindhu and Nalanda. Simultaneously, the chartering of a total of 32 vessels, including two vessels of 300-passenger capacity and eleven vessels of 250-passenger capacity at an annual cost of Rs. 320 crore is underway to replace older vessels such as M.V. Chowra and M.V. Dering, he added.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further stated that under the guidance of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, the Islands Development Agency (IDA) is functioning as the principal institutional mechanism for the holistic development of A&N Islands. Under IDA, several ambitious and transformative projects involving investments exceeding Rs.1.5 lakh crore have been initiated, many of which are already fully operational, while others are progressing rapidly, he said. Projects such as the Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (CANI) and Azad Hind Fauj Setu at Humphrey Strait have proven decisive in enhancing connectivity and economic activity across the Islands.
Giving information about the mega & ambitious GNI project, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island, including the establishment of an International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), a Greenfield International Airport, a power plant, and a modern township, is a project of immense national importance. As per the DPR of the ICTT being developed under the PPP model, the Terminal will have a Phase-I capacity of 5.8 million TEUs, which will be progressively enhanced to 20.4 million TEUs in the final phase. Given its strategic location dominating the Malacca Strait, this Terminal has the potential to become one of the leading container handling ports not only in India but across the Indo-Pacific region.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor further disclosed that under the same project, the DPR for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Great Nicobar has been approved by the concerned Ministries, and recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security has accorded approval for its development as a joint-user Greenfield Airport and Naval Air Station. With an investment of approximately Rs. 92,000 crore, this project will establish the islands as an economic hub and serve as a force multiplier in strengthening India’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region. In continuation of these efforts, the Ministry has entrusted Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority with the responsibility of preparing a techno-commercial feasibility study and business plan within six months for the proposed Deep-water Port at Atlanta Bay, he added.
Mentioning about the Non-IDA achievements, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor informed that the A&N Administration has launched a Comprehensive Recruitment Drive to fill over 2,100 vacant posts at Group-B, Group-C, Higher Secondary, and Matriculation levels. He stated that it’s a matter of pride that our Island Territory has successfully achieved 100% literacy rate. He said that in the field of Tribal Development, the achievement of 13 students from the Onge Tribe passing Class X marks a historic milestone. Approval has also been granted for 13 postgraduate seats in ANIIMS and for the establishment of a Nursing College at Sri Vijaya Puram, he added.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that Sri Vijaya Puram being recognized as a ‘Promising Swachh City,’ 86% of hotels receiving Green Leaf Certification, Pahargaon Police Station being declared the second-best police station in the country, and seven products receiving GI tags, with 18 additional products proposed for GI registration are some of the notable achievements in the sphere of good governance.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor said that in terms of security and sovereignty, the hoisting of the National Flag across 744 Islands and the expansion of drone-based mapping have further strengthened India’s administrative presence.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor extended his best wishes to the Marching Contingents, school children and other participants of the cultural programme. He also expressed his gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command under the leadership of CINCAN, which has always provided prompt assistance to the Civil Administration whenever required.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor appreciated the work being done by the A&N Administration under the leadership of Chief Secretary, DGP and PCCF and expressed his sincere thanks to representatives of various organizations and members of the society who have extended their valuable cooperation.
Concluding his Republic Day speech, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor assured that he and his Administration is fully committed for holistic and time-bound development of the Islands so that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can play its role in realizing the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Earlier, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor presented President’s Police Medals and Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificates to the recipients for their outstanding contribution in various fields. In the March Past, contingents of Defence Forces, Forest, Police, NCC, School (Boys & Girls) and others participated. Different Departments of A&N Administration displayed their development activities through presentation of Tableaux. The highlight of the Republic Day celebration this year was the ‘Dare Devil Bike Show’ by IRBn. Cultural programme by school children added grandeur to the Republic Day function. The main function of the Republic Day concluded with the National Anthem.