Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 14 August 2024
In a significant development for the remote village of Sagar Dweep on Smith Island, North Andaman, the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, virtually inaugurated a newly constructed helipad on August 13, 2024. The virtual ceremony was attended by Ms. Dilraj Kaur, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Civil Aviation, Mr. Vishwendra, Secretary of Civil Aviation, and other senior officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
During the inauguration, Mr. Chandra emphasized the critical role the helipad will play in enhancing the accessibility of specialised medical treatment for the residents of Sagar Dweep. He congratulated the team involved in the project, highlighting that the helipad’s presence will provide quicker medical evacuation and emergency services to the remote village, significantly improving the quality of life for its residents.
The event was also attended by Mr. Aditya Kumar Asthana, Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur, Ms. Anita Mondal, Pradhan of Keralapuram Gram Panchayat, along with other PRI members, local residents, and heads of various departments.
Constructed by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), the helipad covers an area of 1,225 square meters (35 meters by 35 meters) and was completed in approximately 20 months. It has been designed in compliance with the safety standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The successful trial landing by a Pawan Hans helicopter on July 8, 2024, marked the readiness of the helipad for operational use.
This development is expected to be a game-changer for the remote village, providing crucial connectivity and potentially saving lives through timely medical interventions.