Maken satisfied over tsunami rehabilitation in Andaman

Port Blair, Feb 18 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Urban Development Ajay Maken today expressed satisfaction on the progress of rehabilitation in the Tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

''The progress of work by the Andaman and Nicobar administration amid stiff challenges, particularly in the southern group of islands, is satisfactory,'' the MoS told mediapersons in Port Blair today.

The minister made this observation after he witnessed a presentation made by the Chief Secretary on the progress and achievement made in respect of post-tsunami relief and rehabilitation process in the islands.

The minister, who arrived here on a three-day visit yesterday, had a series of meetings with the Chief Secretary and other senior officers of the administration after his arrival.

Tsunami-hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands would have 9797 permanent shelters for most of the tsunami-hit islanders by December, 2007.

The Minister would visit Havelock Island, a highly popular island of Andaman and Nicobar, today to inspect various developmental projects and tourism activities.

UNI