Andamans To Get Seaplanes As Part Of Major Connectivity Boost; Tourism And Infra Big Gainers

With the bidding process having opened for seaplane operations at four locations in Andamans, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Hut Bay and Long Island, the picturesque archipelago is set for a major tourism, connectivity and infrastructure boost.

The biddings are being called under the central government's ambitious UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, a Home Ministry official told PTI.

Also, 17 islands in the Andamans have been identified for holistic development in targeted sectors which include building infrastructure of sundry kinds, green energy, skill development pertinent to promote tourism. To begin with, five Islands -- Avis, Long, Little Andaman, Smith and Ross -- have been identified for the initial phase of the project and another 12 islands will be taken up later.

Further to ease and boost tourism activity in the region, Port Blair has already been declared as an authorised immigration check post for entry into or exit from India with valid travel documents for all passengers of all classes.

Also, as many as 30 islands have been exempted from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime. Further, the mandatory registration of foreigners arriving in the island within 24 hours of their entry has also been done away with.

Four tourism-based projects have also been taken up under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance has also been obtained for all four, while Requests for Qualification (RfQ) have been floated for projects in Long Islands, Smith Islands and Aves Islands.

Further, following the grant of CRZ clearance in December 2018 for the Middle Strait Bridge, the lifeline of the Andamans, the Andaman Trunk Road, is all set to receive an upgrade. In principle approval has also been obtained for Chatham-Bamboo flat bridge in Port Blair, in fulfilment of a long-standing demand of the island residents, another Home Ministry official said.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comes under the administrative control of the Home Ministry.