Government may relax RAP rules to A&N and Lakshdweep to promote tourism
New Delhi, Apri 25 (IBNS): The Union government is considering a plan to relax the Restricted Area Permit requirements for Lakshadweep as well as Andaman & Nicobar Islands to promote tourism, according to media reports on Wednesday.
The matter was discussed at the third meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) held in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards preparation of development plans for the identified islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis and five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
The final Site Suitability Reports have been prepared, carrying capacity determined and environmental zoning carried out for these islands to ensure sustainable development, said the Home Ministry in a release.
CEO, NITI Aayog made detailed presentation giving details of actions taken in pursuance to decisions taken in earlier meetings.
The Union Home Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress made since its last meeting held on November 8, 2017 when directions were given to identify additional Islands for sustainable development and also accord priority to key infrastructure projects.
Additional islands/locations -- 12 in Andaman and Nicobar (North Passage, Cinque, Inglis, Viper, Neil (Bharatpur Beach), Ramnagar Beach, Karmatang Beach, Dhaninallah Beach, Kalipur Beach, Rutland, North Bay and Great Nicobar - B Quarry) and five in Lakshadweep (Kalpeni, Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat and Bitra) have been identified by NITI Aayog, in consultation with the UT Administrations, for planning of suitable projects aimed at creation of more jobs for the Islanders.
Community-based tourism benefiting the islanders will be promoted here, the release said.
Key infrastructure projects such as creation of jetties/berthing facilities, roll-on/roll-off ships; bridges on Andaman Trunk Road; upgradation of Diglipur Airport; construction of Minicoy Airport; modernization of existing Jetty at Kavarati; augmentation of Satellite Bandwidth from 1.118 Gbps to 2.118 Gbps in Andaman & Nicobar; augmentation of helicopter services for islanders and tourists, etc. are being accorded priority, according to the release.
With better communication services, Information Technology based and other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are also likely to be promoted in the islands.
After carrying out a systematic study, 18 projects, both in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, have been identified for implementation, out of which seven projects are ready for launch through PPP.
Three projects in Andaman & Nicobar (one each in Long, Smith and Ayes Island) and three in Lakshadweep (one each in Suheli, Minicoy and Kadamat) are ready to be launched, according to the Home Ministry release.
After implementation of these projects, investment of about Rs. 650 crore is expected from the private sector.
It was informed at the meeting that an investors' conference is scheduled in May, 2018.
Union Home Minister called upon all concerned to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in the islands, particularly for improving air, road and web connectivity; providing good quality drinking water to the residents; and power supply.
He directed that designs of these projects be made in such a way to provide maximum benefits to the local population.
The meeting was attended by Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Administrator of Lakshadweep, Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha, CEO, NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Secretary Defence, Secretary Tourism, Secretary, Tribal Affairs and other senior officers of Central ministries of Tourism, Power, Defence, Health, Telecommunications and Civil Aviation.
Vice Chief of Naval Staff and Air Commodore from Indian Air Force were also present at the meeting.
Image: PIB
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