Port Blair, March 23: The Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma on Tuesday (22-03-2022) during the budget session of Parliament raised demands concerning the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Parliamentary constituency during the discussion on Demand for Grants concerning the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
He mentioned that Tourism is one of the sectors which is most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting economies, livelihoods, public services and opportunities. Andaman & Nicobar Islands is an important hub for strong ties with East Asian countries and other sea-related countries under the Act-East Policy. A&N Islands provide an additional strategic outreach towards India’s interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Member of Parliament has put forth eight crucial demands concerning Andaman & Nicobar Islands before the Ministry:
1) To Introduce Udaan Scheme in the Islands:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands have immense tourism potential and in order to exploit it there is a need to develop better aviation facilities such as connectivity with other parts of India. Sharma requested the Minister to award more routes from Andaman & Nicobar Islands under Udaan Scheme to enable Islanders to get air tickets at cheaper rates for their respective destinations.
2) To provide air subsidy to the Islanders as in the case of North East:
The citizens of Andaman & Nicobar Islands have limited connectivity to other states due to its remote location and absence of any other mode of commutation except air and ship travel. In tourist season and due to limited flights there have been instances of extremely high airfare, which burden the people including patients, students, businessmen and common Islanders. The Member of Parliament demanded air subsidy to Islanders on the lines of North-East.
3) To introduce Mini Aircraft:
For facilitating better inter-islands travel, Kuldeep Rai Sharma requested the Minister to start mini aircraft from Port Blair to Diglipur, Port Blair to Car Nicobar and Port Blair to Campbell Bay and vice versa for the convenience of the Islanders and also to promote tourism.
4) To provide air Ambulance for the Islanders:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands being an archipelago has limited medical facilities and therefore the need of the hour is to start air ambulance facilities for critically ill patients in different Islands who are referred to Port Blair for treatment.
5) Commencing International flights to South-East countries:
The Member of Parliament requested the Government to start international flights from Port Blair to South East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Maldives and Mauritius due to proximity with these nations under the International UDAN scheme. The operationalization of these flights will promote and boost the tourism industry in the Islands and act as a catalyst in the economic development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which has been adversely affected due to Covid-19.
6) Direct Flights to Madurai, Kochi & Ranchi from Port Blair:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a heterogeneous population including Tamil, Malayalam and North Indian population. In order to provide better connectivity, the Member of Parliament requested for direct flights from Port Blair to Madurai, Port Blair to Kochi and Port Blair to Ranchi.
7) Start Night flight from Port Blair:
The Member of Parliament requested that for the benefit of the Islanders and to promote tourism, night flights be started from Port Blair to other parts of the country.
8) To introduce Seaplanes:
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma demanded the introduction of seaplanes for the promotion of tourism and also to benefit the Islanders.