PPP packages being prepared for projects
Airports, tourism industry and fishing industry related developments are being planned for the Andaman & Nicobar, according to a meeting held in New Delhi on 8 Nov 2017.
It aims to develop community based tourism in consultation with local stakeholders.
The meeting also decided to develop a Public Private Participation (PPP) package including one for an airport (Joint User Airport) at Minicoy Island for developing tourism potential.
The meeting agreed to promote tuna fishing industry for improving livelihoods in Lakshadweep.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who chaired the meeting, has directed all concerned to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in the islands.
The Island Development Agency (IDA) has reviewed the concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of nine islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and (five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
The project being steered by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) aims at promoting and implementing development based on sustainable approach to building a thriving maritime economy of the project islands.
NITI Aayog was also asked to drive the formulation of PPP projects and proposed detailed guidelines to boost private sector participation.
The IDA was set up on 1 June 2017 following the Prime Minister’s review meeting for the holistic development of islands.
Since then site development potential reports have clearly mapped and delineated environmentally sensitive zones in the project islands and considering the unique maritime and territorial bio-diversity of the islands, enhanced connectivity has been recommended as one of the key priorities.
Accordingly, it was decided that the Naval air station at Shibpur near Diglipur in northern Andaman & Nicobar Islands would be co-used as Joint User Airport.
Singh has expressed satisfaction at the progress made since its last meeting held on 24 July 2017, when directions were given to identify and execute infrastructure and connectivity projects together with provisioning of water and electricity.
The meeting was attended by Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Admiral D.K. Joshi, Former Navy Chief (Vice Chairman of IDA), Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha, CEO, NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, C. K. Mishra and representatives of Ministries of Tourism, Power, Defence, Health, Telecommunications and Civil Aviation. fii-news.com
