Sri Vijaya Puram | February 27, 2026
Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA), on Friday outlined the transformational roadmap of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the vision of Viksit Bharat during an address at the United Service Institution (USI) of India, New Delhi.
The event was attended by around 250 participants, including members of think tanks, media representatives, research fellows and faculty.
In his address, the Lt. Governor detailed the mega infrastructure and strategic projects being undertaken under the aegis of the Islands Development Agency to strengthen connectivity, maritime capability, energy security and tourism potential in the Islands.
Highlighting improvements in surface connectivity, he referred to the expansion and double-laning of National Highway-4, the completion of Azad Hind Fauj Setu and the construction of the Middle Strait Bridge. These projects, he said, are expected to significantly enhance inter-island mobility and reduce travel time by more than half.
On digital infrastructure, he noted the operationalisation of the Chennai–Andaman and Nicobar Islands (CANI) submarine cable project and the proposed optical fibre cable redundancy link between Digha and Diglipur aimed at ensuring reliable and uninterrupted connectivity.
In the aviation sector, the Lt. Governor recalled the inauguration of the new integrated terminal at Veer Savarkar International Airport and the maiden landing of an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur.
To attract more direct overseas flights, the Administration has introduced incentives including waivers on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), landing charges and User Development Fees (UDF).
He further informed that plans are underway for new greenfield airports at Sri Vijaya Puram and Great Nicobar, along with runway expansions at INS Baaz (Campbell Bay) and INS Kohassa (Shibpur) with a dual-use focus. Infrastructure under the UDAN scheme has been finalised and is expected to be handed over to SpiceJet and SkyHop. Helicopter services are being modernised, and seaplane services are proposed to be revived to improve access to key tourism destinations.
On maritime infrastructure, the Lt. Governor said Galathea Bay has been notified as India’s 13th Major Port and will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model along with an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT).
Projects worth ₹82,450 crore related to the development of Great Nicobar Island — including the transshipment terminal, power plant and proposed township — are expected to strengthen maritime trade, connectivity and national security. ICTT Phase-I is targeted to commence operations within three years, with an ultimate handling capacity of 20.4 million TEUs.
He also highlighted the Port Meadows project for ship-to-ship transshipment and informed that an agreement has been signed with Matsya Shipping. A pre-feasibility study by IIT Madras has been conducted for developing a deep-water port at Atlanta Bay in Diglipur under PPP mode, along with ship repair and yacht marina facilities.
The Lt. Governor further stated that after multiple deliberations before the Islands Development Agency, 63.5% of the 6 lakh sq. km ‘No-Go Zone’ has been freed for oil exploration. He noted that the Andaman Basin has been reported to have “Guyana-like potential,” which could significantly contribute to India’s economic growth.
On the energy front, he said the Administration is working towards 100 percent de-dieselisation through renewable energy initiatives, including ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects for households and government buildings. A 50 MW LNG-based power plant through NTPC Limited is planned, along with a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear study.
A proposed High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link from Paradeep, Odisha, could potentially meet the projected peak demand of 79 MW by FY 2030, reducing dependence on diesel generator sets.
Emphasising the tourism and hospitality sector, the Lt. Governor said projects aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat have generated strong investor response. Long Island, Aves Island, Shaheed Dweep and the Megapode Resort at Sri Vijaya Puram were auctioned at premiums ranging from 306% to 1152% above reserve price, generating an annual revenue of ₹36.80 crore with 5% yearly escalation and 2–3.6% revenue sharing.
Development of 11 more islands and the Rangachang project is planned through a transaction advisor.
He noted that Radhanagar Beach at Swaraj Dweep has retained Blue Flag certification since 2019, while ten additional beaches are being upgraded to meet Blue Flag standards, with Ramnagar, Karmatang and Raman Bagicha identified as pilot sites. Cruise tourism has also seen growth, including the scheduled halt of Vessel Luminara at Sri Vijaya Puram in December 2025 during its voyage from Sri Lanka to Phuket.
The Lt. Governor also informed that key environmental clearances have been received for the strategic development of Great Nicobar Island across its four planned verticals.
Concluding his address, Admiral Joshi expressed confidence that the ongoing and proposed initiatives would position the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a significant contributor to India’s growth trajectory, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of self-reliance, innovation and citizen empowerment under the banner of #NewAndamans.
