Sri Vijaya Puram, February 28 Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Retired), has said that the archipelago will emerge as a significant contributor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of self-reliance, innovation, and citizen empowerment.
Addressing the 30th Colonel Pyara Lal Memorial Lecture on "Development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Challenges & Imperatives" in New Delhi on Friday, he spoke about several development initiatives undertaken by the government.
Joshi said, "We have been able to free up 63.5 per cent of the 6 lakh sq kms 'No-Go Zone' for oil, with the Andaman Basin being reported as having "Guyana-like potential," which could propel India's growth from a $4 trillion economy to a $20 trillion dollar economy," he said.
Joshi, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA), highlighted that Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar has been designated as the 13th major port of India, to be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model along with an International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT).
The proposed development of the archipelago as a ship repair and shipbuilding hub in the Indo-Pacific region is a key component of its strategic location, according to the lieutenant governor.
Projects worth Rs 82,450 crore related to Great Nicobar Island, including the transhipment terminal, power plant, and proposed township for maritime trade, connectivity, and security, which will prove to be a force multiplier in promoting the geo-strategic and economic interests of our nation, he said at the event organized by the United Service Institution.