Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 10 August 2023
The Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that tourists are allowed to visit Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island. Since January 2023, a total of 8,026 tickets have been issued to individuals, encompassing both islanders and non-islanders. Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, provided these details in response to inquiries from two House members through a written reply.
Out of the total ticket count, 7,316 tickets were allocated to islanders, while the remaining 710 were provided to non-islanders for their visits to Campbell Bay.
Nityanand Rai mentioned that the movement of people on Great Nicobar Island is regulated by various laws and rules, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted several measures taken by the government to promote tourism on Great Nicobar Island. These efforts include enhancing internet connectivity through submarine optical fibre cable, introducing helicopter services, and incorporating Great Nicobar Island into the Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) Scheme.
The response was given in reply to questions from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs M Shanmugam and Vaiko, who sought clarification on any potential travel restrictions to the Great Nicobar Islands within the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.