The Hindu Business Line : International air services may soon take off from Andamans

International air services from here are likely to take off shortly, most probably from early next year, according to Mr Vivek Rae, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar administration. “We’re hoping that the Union Government’s approval in this regard will be available soon”, Mr Rae told a group of visiting journalists from Kolkata here recently.

“To start with, there will be services between Port Blair and Phuket in Thailand to cater to the tourist traffic and there could be chartered flights or even regular commercial flights by the national carriers of the two countries”. Airport Authority of India too was planning to set up a new airport in Port Blair, he said.

Deep-draft port

The Andaman & Nicobar Administration, according to its Chief Secretary, has urged the Union Government to construct a major deep-draft port in the islands, considering the proximity of the islands to the international sea trade routes. A proposal had also been mooted for an international container terminal for transshipment purpose and Wapcos (Water & Power Consultancy Services under the Ministry of Water Resources) would be undertaking the feasibility report. The administration has also urged Indian Oil Corporation to have a bunkering terminal to cater to ocean-going ships at Great Nicobar which has a total area of 1,800 sq kms, mostly under forest.

Tourism promotion

To promote tourism, Mr Rae said, there was a proposal for setting up yacht marinas on public private partnership basis at four different locations such as Lalaji Bay in Long Island, Little Andaman, Radhanagar beach in Havlock Island and Bharatpur beach in Neil Island.

A feasibility study at a cost of Rs 10 crore had been commissioned for the purpose and the Gurgaon-based Feedback Ventures had been entrusted with the job.

“Between December and March every year, about 80-100 foreign yachts come to Andaman Islands but, unfortunately, no facility is available to cater to their requirements”, he said adding that proposed marinas, when fully operational, would attract more such yachts.

An estimated 10,000 foreign tourists out of a total one lakh visited the islands every year and the tourist traffic was rising by 30 per cent annually on an average, he added.

The transport and logistics costs in the islands, as Mr Rae pointed out, were prohibitive – three times the costs in the mainland.

Also, catering to the requirements of the people in remote islands was a major challenge logistically, he observed.