Sri Vijaya Puram | January 27, 2026
Tarun Karthick
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), extended warm greetings to the people of the Islands on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day and paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices enabled India to emerge as a sovereign democratic republic.
Addressing the State-level Republic Day function at Sri Vijaya Puram, the Lt. Governor said the day serves as a reminder of the dignity of the Constitution, democratic values and the collective responsibility towards nation-building. He noted that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are playing a distinct role in achieving the national resolve of Viksit Bharat by progressing steadily on the path of development, security and good governance.
Highlighting achievements in the tourism sector, the Lt. Governor stated that the Islands recorded an overall increase of nearly 15 per cent in both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals compared to the previous year. He further informed that foreign tourist arrivals for game fishing registered a significant rise of about 35 per cent, attributing this growth to the Islands’ natural uniqueness, improved connectivity and planned tourism development.
He said that the Government of India has accorded final approval for the development of five-star luxury resorts under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode at Megapod Resort, Avis Island, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island. These projects, he added, will be environmentally sustainable and aligned with international standards.
To make tourism more experience-oriented, the administration has initiated measures such as the Barren Island cruise for visits to the country’s only active volcano, Dweep Darshan Heritage Harbour Cruise, and notification of 21 islands for regulated day tourism. The Lt. Governor noted that receipt of five bids for the Yacht Marina project reflects strong investor confidence in high-end marine tourism.
He further stated that policies related to bird watching, caravan tourism, luxury tents, houseboat tourism and astro tourism have been notified to develop tourism as an organised, safe and high-value experience. Under the astro tourism initiative, 95 local youth have been trained as astro tourism guides. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have also been developed for adventure activities such as flyboarding, water jet packs and submarine scooters, while scuba diving guidelines have been updated in line with ISO and World Recreational Scuba Training Council standards. A Beach Tourism Policy has also been introduced to promote healthy tourism activities along the coastline.
On connectivity, the Lt. Governor said it is being strengthened as a key enabler of tourism and development. Under the UDAN scheme, work on seaplane services, water aerodrome terminals, helicopter services and airport expansion is in progress. Civil terminal facilities at Shibpur and Car Nicobar have been completed, while work at Campbell Bay is in its final stage. Sea connectivity is also being enhanced through strengthening of jetties, ports and shipping infrastructure.
He informed that following approval from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Cochin Shipyard Limited has been entrusted with the construction of four new vessels, each with a capacity of 500 passengers and 150 metric tonnes of cargo, with specifications similar to MV Sindhu and MV Nalanda. Additionally, for replacement of older vessels such as MV Chowra and MV Daring, the chartering of a total of 32 vessels — including two with 300-passenger capacity and eleven with 250-passenger capacity — is underway at an annual cost of ₹320 crore.
Referring to the Islands Development Agency (IDA), the Lt. Governor said that under the guidance of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, the IDA is functioning as the principal institutional mechanism for holistic development of the Islands. Projects involving investments exceeding ₹1.5 lakh crore have been initiated under the IDA, many of which are already operational, while the remaining are progressing rapidly.
He highlighted that projects such as the Submarine Optical Fibre Cable, the Azad Hind Fauj Setu on Humphrey Strait have proved decisive in improving connectivity and boosting economic activity. He described the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island — including an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a new greenfield international airport, a power plant and a modern township — as nationally significant projects.
As per the Detailed Project Report, the ICTT, being developed under the PPP model, will have a Phase-I capacity of 5.8 million TEUs, which will be increased progressively to 20.4 million TEUs in the final phase. Given its strategic location near the Malacca Strait, the terminal has the potential to emerge as one of the leading container handling ports not only for India but for the wider Indo-Pacific region.
The Lt. Governor stated that the DPR for the proposed greenfield airport at Great Nicobar has been approved by the concerned ministries, and recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security accorded approval for its development as a joint-user greenfield airport and Naval Air Station. GNI Holistic Development Project being developed with an investment of approximately ₹92,000 crore, the project is expected to establish the Islands as an economic hub and act as a force multiplier in strengthening India’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific.
He further informed that the Ministry has assigned the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority the responsibility of preparing a techno-commercial feasibility study and business plan within six months for the proposed deep-water port at Atlanta Bay.
Speaking on non-IDA achievements, the Lt. Governor said the administration has launched a comprehensive recruitment drive to fill vacant Group B and Group C posts at higher secondary and matriculation levels. He expressed pride in stating that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have achieved a 100 per cent literacy rate.
In the field of tribal development, he described the passing of Class X examinations by 13 students of the Onge tribe as a historic achievement. He also announced the approval of 13 postgraduate seats for ANIIMS and the sanctioning of a nursing college at Sri Vijaya Puram.
Highlighting achievements in governance, the Lt. Governor said Sri Vijaya Puram was recognised as a “Promising Swachh City”, 86 per cent of hotels received Green Leaf Certification, and Pahargaon Police Station was declared the second-best police station in the country. He also noted that after seven products received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, proposals have been submitted for GI tagging of 18 additional products.
On security and sovereignty, he said flag hoisting across 744 islands and expansion of drone-based mapping have strengthened India’s administrative presence in the archipelago.
Concluding his address, the Lt. Governor congratulated the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, Police, NCC cadets and schoolchildren who participated in the Republic Day parade. He expressed gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command under the leadership of CINCAN for their continued support to the civil administration, and appreciated the efforts of the administration under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, along with various organisations and citizens for their cooperation.
Reaffirming commitment, the Lt. Governor assured that he and the administration remain fully dedicated to the holistic and timely development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.
