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He said, “Andaman and Nicobar Islands are emerging as India’s gateway to South East Asia and the global Blue Economy, carrying forward the ideals of adventure, sustainability and digital transformation.”
Admiral Joshi said port development and coastal shipping will play an important role in taking India towards becoming a $5 trillion economy. “The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are strategically located on vital global shipping lanes in the Indo-Pacific, playing a vital role in defense and maritime domain awareness,” he said.
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He outlined a plan to develop the islands as a regional center for shipbuilding and repair, strengthening their role as a maritime powerhouse.
Highlighting the major infrastructure projects, Admiral Joshi described the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar as a transformative initiative. “It has been notified as a major port and is set to become one of the top three container-handling ports in the country with a capacity of 16.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). It is also expected to significantly boost tourism and infrastructure development in Great Nicobar Island.”
The Lieutenant Governor also stressed on the impact of digital connectivity on the development of the islands. He said, “Digital transformation through submarine optical link from Chennai to Andaman and Nicobar Islands has enabled strong connectivity across more than 100 islands. When it comes to sustainable development we have achieved good response in fisheries, marine biodiversity and renewable resources.”
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To enhance transport and tourism infrastructure, Joshi highlighted several new initiatives: “We are taking new initiatives such as cruise tourism to Barren Island, government e-ticketing for ship travel, water metro integration, and acquisition of new passenger ships to further enhance island connectivity and services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”
Admiral Joshi also pointed to the strong revival in tourism after the pandemic. “I would like to highlight that there has been a post-Covid tourism resurgence in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with domestic arrivals growing by almost 200% and international tourist arrivals growing by 157% since 2022,” he told industry stakeholders.
He revealed that the islands are set to set three Guinness World Records in scuba diving, a move that will further cement their position as the leading diving destination in the Indian Ocean region.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to sustainable development, Admiral Joshi concluded that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not only a strategic maritime asset but also a model for environmentally conscious growth and innovation in India’s blue economy.