Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 5 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma presented a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth of Andaman

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 5 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma presented a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth of Andaman

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 5 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma presented a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth of Andaman

    Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 5 (PTI) Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma presented a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at a high-level meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, an official statement said on Thursday.

    The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, was chaired by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri, and was attended by its member R Subrahmanyam, CEO Anurag Jain, the Union territory's Chief Secretary Gyanesh Bharti and senior officials of various central ministries, it said.

    Highlighting the islands' strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region, Sharma stressed the need for an island-specific development approach, considering the geographical challenges of 31 inhabited islands spread across 8,249 sq km.

    He sought flexibility in central scheme norms, citing high transportation costs of construction materials and essential commodities from the mainland. Proposed projects in Great Nicobar were also discussed.

    Connectivity concerns, including declining flight frequencies and high airfares, figured prominently, the statement said.

    Sharma stressed expediting the upgradation of National Highway 4, construction of the Middle Strait Bridge, reconstruction of 13 jetties under Sagarmala 2.0 and strengthening cargo vessel services.

    The meeting also reviewed water supply improvements in 265 villages, replacement of ageing pipelines, healthcare infrastructure, expansion of MRI facilities at ANIIMS and renewable energy promotion.

    Boosting the island's economy through deep-sea tuna fishing, local employment, exports and tourism development at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, Viper Island and Swaraj Dweep was also discussed, it said.

    Agriculture, cold storage, farm mechanisation and pending rural road projects under PMGSY-IV were among the other issues taken up.

    Sharma called for time-bound decisions on pending proposals, flexibility in central schemes, clear responsibilities and regular reviews to accelerate development in the islands, it added.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)