Andaman administrator infrastructure level reaches pre-tsunami level

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Administrator of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt General (retd) Lakhera today said the infrastructure development of the Islands has reached the pre-tsunami level.

Addressing the National Development Council (NDC) meet, Lt Gen Lakhera said daily life in the Islands has returned to 'near normalcy' since the tsunami devastation of December 2004.

''The work of providing permanent shelter to the tsunami-affected continues to be a challenge and it is now proceeding at an even pace,'' he added.

Gen Lakhera said the draft Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan focuses on inclusive growth with the need to embrace all sections of the society.

He said strategic interests, environmental and aborginal tribal concerns compete with developmental activities in the Islands.

High value agriculture with an accent on organic farming and sustainable harvesting of oceanic wealth on the nations Exclusive Economic Zone are two key livelihood options that will drive the economy of the Union Territory, apart from the exploitation of global opportunities for outsourcing of IT enabled services and an aggressive promotion of high-end private sector led eco-tourism.

''There is a need to improve the connetivity within the Islands as well as with the mainland.'' He said augmenting multi-modal transport arrangements --air, road and water-- is needed for creation of jobs in the tourism sector to saving of lives in disaster situations.

The Public Private Partnership model will be Islands' preferred method of building, acquisition and operation of transport vehicles and their associated infrastructure, he added.

Gen Lakhera said during the next plan period, they union territory expected a State Wide Area Network, OFC network across northen islands.

He said with the support of the Planning Commission and the Centre, a wide-ranging techno-economic feasibility study is being commissioned shortly. The facility --of constructing a large trans-shipment and bunkering facility at the southern tip of the islands-- has the potential of transforming the economy of the islands and of making a significant contribution to the national economy, he added UNI PA AT BD1739