Port Blair, Jan 27: Impressive parade, colourful cultural programme, presentation of medals and Lt Governor’s Commendation Certificates marked 74th Republic Day celebration in A&N Islands yesterday. The main function for the Republic Day was held at 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 Tricolour. The function was attended among others by Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, DGP, Shri Neeraj Thakur, IPS, senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration and public representatives.
In his Republic Day address to the Islanders at Marina Park road stretch, the Lt Governor while greeting the Islanders on the auspicious occasion of 74th Republic Day said, “This is an occasion to renew our commitments to our fundamental duties along with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. As the nation is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the heroes of the freedom struggle, whose sacrifices and untiring efforts have established our nation as a strong Republic”. “This year, the Republic Day celebration is special because on 23rd January, on the occasion of 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji which is observed as Parakram Diwas, Honorable Prime Minister of India named 21 Islands after Param Vir Chakra Awardees and announced the setting up of grand Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial at NSCB Dweep.” With the naming of these 21 Islands after Param Vir Chakra Awardees, the resolve of “India First” and "Nation first" has now been immortalized forever in the name of these Islands.
Emphasizing on the immense potential and opportunities in Andamans, Lt Governor mentioned that Hon'ble Prime Minister had said that just as these Islands had given a new direction to the freedom struggle in the past, in the future, they would also give a new impetus to the country's development. Andaman is such a land where there is a wonderful confluence of water, nature, environment, effort, bravery, tradition, tourism, enlightenment, heritage, culture and inspiration. The Lt Governor said, under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister and through the Island Development Agency (IDA), this strategically important group of Islands has progressed rapidly in the last 5 years towards becoming a Global Growth Destination.
The Lt Governor mentioned that the Islands have made significant progress last year. The Lt Governor informed that A&N Islands was declared as the first ‘Swacch Sujal Pradesh’ of the country, which is a matter of great pride for all of us, he said, adding that with the active cooperation of public participation and PRI members, A&N Islands got the first prize in the category of small States/Union Territories in the ‘Swachh Survekshan Grameen -2022’ while South Andaman District was awarded as the First Ranked District in the Union Territory category. For these achievements, the Lt Governor congratulated the Islanders.
Highlighting the projects completed under IDA, the Lt Governor stated that despite the geographical distance of the Islands from the mainland, logistical challenges and constraints such as COVID, 14 out of 44 (32 per cent) IDA projects have been completed. The CANI Submarine OFC project with an investment of approximately Rs.1300 crore is proving to be a game changer for IT related activities. Projects like 'Azad Hind Fauj Setu' on Humphry Strait with an investment of Rs 200 crore and 20 MW Solar Power Projects in the direction of sustainable green energy with an investment of approximately Rs. 140 crore have further propelled the pace of development.
Mentioning about the ongoing IDA projects, the Lt Governor said that 26 projects (approx.60 per cent) are headed towards early completion and will add new dimensions to the progress of the Islands. Among these, the work of 50 MW LNG Power Plant with an investment of Rs 1650 crore and Floating Solar Panels on Kalpong river in Diglipur with an investment of Rs 27 crore are in progress. These projects are important in line with sustainable development through clean and green energy. The Lt Governor stated that 85% work of the new airport terminal at Port Blair has been completed and is progressing towards early completion. In Shibpur's INS Kohassa, with an investment of more than Rs. 200 crores, the development of passenger terminal and other basic facilities for civil operations, as well as the work of runway extension is in progress, so that all types of aircraft can operate from Shibpur.
Informing about several ambitious projects under IDA which are awaiting clearances, the Lt Governor said, the preliminary costing for various projects has been done and the process for obtaining Clearances, Consultancy Reports, DPR (Detailed Project Reports), EIA etc. are at various stages of completion.
Under the direction of Honorable Prime Minister, the Lt Governor informed that approval for investment of about Rs. 72,600 crore for the ambitious Great Nicobar Project has been accorded. This investment will pave the way for execution of many visionary projects in Great Nicobar such as International Container Transshipment Terminal, Greenfield International Airport, Power Plant and Township which will make A&N Islands as an ‘Economic Hub’ in the progress of the nation. Taking the development steps forward, it has been decided that ‘Expression of Interest’ for the ICTT Phase-1 in Great Nicobar Island with an investment of about Rs 18,000 crore will be floated this month itself. Along with establishing India's supremacy in the Indo-Pacific region, this project will prove to be a milestone for the nation's economic and social progress, the Lt Governor remarked.
The Lt Governor informed that the proposal for expansion and modernization of helicopter fleet is in the stage of approval. Under Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN scheme), he said, the routes for operating Sea Plane service between Port Blair, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island have been identified. To start this service, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has given Letter of Award to the selected Airline Operator through bids. For the construction of Water Aerodromes, the work for obtaining Environment and CRZ Clearance is going on.
Speaking about the intangibles projects under IDA, the Lt Governor said, there are many projects which comes under the category of Policy Decisions and whose intangible benefits will have a multifarious effect on the economy and prove to be the benchmark for the all-round development of the Islands in the days to come. The initiatives include lifting of Restricted Area Permit for 30 Islands, provision for Visa-on-Arrival/e-visa facility which have proved beneficial for boosting tourism. Furthermore, to encourage developmental activities in small Islands, the ‘No Development Zone’ has been reduced from 50 meters to 20 metres. Similarly, to increase exports of Fisheries and Marine Products, the Island Administration is taking initiative to establish trade link with South-East Asian countries.
Under non IDA Projects, the Lt Governor stated that in the last 5 years, many projects of infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, hospitality and development have been implemented independently by the Administration which are either completed or in various stages of completion. Under this, to improve Inter-Island connectivity, Sindhu and M.V. Nalanda have been included in the shipping fleet with an investment of Rs. 475 crores. Apart from this, in the financial year 2022-23, works and projects worth about Rs. 460 crores approximately have also been approved by the Administration and are in different stages of progress. The Lt Governor said, an investment amounting to approximately Rs. 90,000 crore has been ensured by IDA and Administration for various infrastructure, development, tourism, hospitality and connectivity projects, which are either completed or in various stages of completion. Such huge investment in the development of the Islands is not only unprecedented but also historic.
The Lt Governor remarked that it is also heartening to note that recently, three Police personnel of A&N Police have been awarded ‘Police Medals for Meritorious Service’ and two other Officers were also conferred ‘Prestigious Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Police Training’.
The Lt Governor extended his best wishes to the Marching Contingents, school children and other participants of the cultural programme. He also congratulated all the award winners and hoped that their commitment towards social service will become stronger and stronger. The Lt Governor also expressed his gratitude to the Honorable Member of Parliament, PRI members, elected representatives of various parties and all those who extended their cooperation to the Administration. He also expressed his gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command under the leadership of CINCAN, who have always cooperated with the Civil Administration whenever needed. The Lt Governor also appreciated the tireless efforts being made by the Administration under the leadership of the Chief Secretary.
“On behalf of the entire Islanders, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister, under whose visionary leadership, our Islands is ready to play the role of an important, powerful engine of growth and economic driver in the nation's progress”, he said. Concluding his address, the Lt Governor assured that he and his Administration is fully committed for the all-round development of the Islands in realizing the dream of #NewIndia, making the country a 5 Trillion Plus Economy and achieving a leading position in the category of developed countries in which #NewAndamans could play its role effectively.