Nicobar Port to be Developed on the Lines of the Strait of Hormuz
Lucknow/Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 10: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and former Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, said that the Islands possess immense potential for economic and tourism development. Blessed with natural beauty, Andaman holds considerable strategic importance for the country. In the coming years, it is set to become a centre of India’s economic growth. The British had turned it into ‘Kala Pani’, but today, it is like ‘Amrit Pani’ for the nation.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor said that out of the 836 islands in this group, only 31 are inhabited, while the remaining islands are blessed with natural beauty and there are immense possibilities from the tourism perspective. The beaches of A&N Islands are among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The blue waters of the sea and the surrounding greenery present a magnificent natural spectacle that remains etched in one’s mind and heart forever. International flights from the Islands may be introduced in the future to promote tourism. In December, representatives from 10 Asian countries have been invited to A&N Islands for discussions. The number of flights has also been increased.
Dr. Sharma said that along with tourism development, efforts are also being initiated to make Andaman a preferred destination for weddings. Cultural activities are to be promoted to attract more tourists. The Light and Sound Show at Cellular Jail narrates such moving stories of freedom fighters that the eyes of the viewers become moist. An action plan is being developed to attract foreign tourists, giving wings to international tourism. The process of granting permissions for water sports and day tourism has been digitized. Birdwatching and caravan tourism have also been encouraged.
He said that owing to the geographical distance of these Islands from the mainland, the British had used them as a place to isolate Indian revolutionaries from the mainstream of the freedom struggle. Penal settlements and prisons were established in A&N Islands, where revolutionaries were sent to serve their sentences and subjected to severe torture. The prison was designed in such a manner that even inmates in adjacent cells could not know about each other. Veer Savarkar and his brother were imprisoned in Cellular Jail at the same time but could not meet each other. The torture was so brutal that prisoners were flogged even for minor reasons. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the Indian Tricolour in Andaman and sounded the clarion call for freedom.
He further stated that emphasis is being laid on developing infrastructure to promote tourism. Under this initiative, the use of solar energy is being encouraged to make tourism infrastructure green by 2047. New airports are being developed. There is a plan to develop the port on the lines of the Strait of Hormuz. It will be an island around which an entire economic cycle will revolve.
He said that along with the pace of development, due attention is also being paid to the protection of tribal communities. Maintaining climate balance and creating new employment opportunities are also among the priorities. Efforts are being undertaken to promote fisheries and strengthen healthcare services. Andaman also reflects the diversity of India. People belonging to different castes, religions, communities and States residing in A&N Islands are contributing towards strengthening the nation.
On this occasion, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lucknow, Professor J.P. Saini Ji; Dean, Faculty of Commerce, Prof. Archana Singh; Head, Department of Commerce, Prof. Audhesh Kumar; former Head of the Department, Dr. Ram Milan; Professor Rajiv Maheshwari; Dr. Anoop Singh; Dr. Vimal Jaiswal and others were present.