Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 January 2025
In his Republic Day 2025 speech, the Lt. Governor emphasized the rapid progress in transforming the islands under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Islands Development Agency (IDA). These developments are being accelerated as part of an ongoing commitment to improve the region’s infrastructure and economy.
A key focus of the speech was the recent decisions made during the seventh IDA meeting held on January 3, 2025, chaired by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah. The meeting saw decisions on several major initiatives aimed at further enhancing the islands’ growth, particularly with respect to Little Andaman.
In a landmark development, the Lt. Governor revealed that Little Andaman will be developed into the Surfing Capital of the Indian Ocean Region. This bold initiative, which is expected to draw both domestic and international tourism, will position Little Andaman as a leading destination for adventure sports.
Furthermore, a medi-city will be developed in Little Andaman and the Island would also be developed as a hub for seaplane operations. The region will see the implementation of numerous transformative projects in the tourism and hospitality sector, executed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). These plans aim to modernize the area’s infrastructure and boost its appeal as a global tourism and medical hub.
With these new projects, the government is hopeful that Little Andaman will not only become a key tourist destination but also a center for innovation and sustainable development in the region.