Port Blair, June 26: Shri Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP and Former State President, BJP ANI wrote a letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, ANI & Chief Secretary, A&N Administration and requested to expeditious completion of Shibpur Airport, Diglipur.
In his letter Shri Jolly highlighted the need to speedily operationalize Shibpur Airport that is being constructed at Diglipur under the UDAN Scheme as under:
Geographically Diglipur is located at the Northern part of our islands, 300 kms away from the capital City, Port Blair.
The entire North & Middle Andaman District doesn't have good health infrastructure and in order to combat with any emergent medical interventions, especially trauma care, gynecological issues etc., the people of this District are required to rush to Port Blair by roadways or by availing helicopter services, which has a capacity to carry 7 to 9 only. These services are also dependent upon climatic weather conditions.
The other mode of transport is roadways and shipway which takes much time and therefore not fit & proper for handling medical emergencies.
North & Middle Andaman District has vast potentials in so far as tourism industry is concerned. Several scenic spots, enchanting sea shores and beaches can be spotted at throughout Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur region.
Due to time taking roadways & seaways, the tourists prefer shortest mode of travels i.e. airways. But they avoid going to these distantly located tourist destinations due to non-availability of Airways, except the Helicopter services which largely accommodate Government officials and patients. The tourism being one of the largest private sector employers can provide much bigger platforms for the Island's Tours & Traveling Operators to generate more employment in North & Middle Andaman District & earn livelihood.
Apart from Health & Tourism sector, the fisheries Industry will also be largely benefited as the aircrafts would be able to carry good quantity of air cargo including the packed raw sea foods.
As announced earlier, the construction of Shibpur Airport at Diglipur was scheduled to complete and start its operations soon.
By immediately starting its operations, the Shibpur Airport would be able to operate small & medium Aircraft Carriers, which would largely benefit the people of entire North & Middle Andaman District as well as the tourism & fisheries industry.
Explaining the above, Jolly requested the Hon’ble LG & CS to direct the concerned authorities to expedite the completion work and start its operation at the earliest.