Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 27 June 2023
Mr Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member of the BJP and former State President of the BJP ANI, has written a letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) and the Chief Secretary of the A & N Administration, requesting the expeditious completion and operationalisation of Shibpur Airport in Diglipur.
In his letter, Mr Jolly emphasised the urgent need to operationalise Shibpur Airport, which is currently under construction as part of the UDAN Scheme. Geographically located in the northern part of the Islands, Diglipur is situated 300 kilometers away from the capital city, Port Blair.
Mr Jolly highlighted the lack of adequate health infrastructure in the entire North & Middle Andaman District, forcing residents to travel to Port Blair by road or rely on helicopter services, which are limited in capacity and dependent on weather conditions. This poses challenges, particularly for medical emergencies and interventions such as trauma care and gynaecological issues.
Moreover, the district holds significant potential for tourism, boasting numerous scenic spots, enchanting sea shores, and beaches throughout Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur. However, the absence of air travel option discourages tourists from visiting these remote destinations, limiting the growth of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities it could provide.
Mr Jolly also highlighted the benefits that Shibpur Airport would bring to the fisheries industry by enabling the transportation of air cargo, including raw seafood.
The construction of Shibpur Airport was scheduled to be completed and operationalised soon, and Mr Jolly urged the Hon’ble Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary to direct the concerned authorities to expedite the completion of the project and commence operations at the earliest.
By swiftly initiating operations, Shibpur Airport would facilitate the use of small and medium aircraft, benefiting the entire North & Middle Andaman District, as well as the tourism and fisheries industries.
Mr Vishal Jolly’s request underscores the importance of completing Shibpur Airport to address crucial healthcare needs, boost tourism, and enhance economic opportunities in the region.