The Restricted Area Permit regime in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep will be relaxed for tourism promotion.

This was decided during the third meeting of Island Development Agency chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi yesterday.

The Agency reviewed the progress made towards the preparation of Development Plans for four identified Islands Smith, Ross, Long and Avis in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Islands and five islands Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, and Suheli in Lakshadweep.

12 other islands in Andaman and Nicobar and 5 in Lakshadweep have been identified by NITI Aayog in consultation with the UT Administrations, for planning of suitable projects aimed at creation of more jobs for the Islanders.

Key Infrastructure projects include the creation of jetties and berthing facilities, Roll-on and Roll-off ships, Bridges on Andaman Trunk Road, Upgradation of Diglipur Airport, Construction of Minicoy Airport, Modernization of existing Jetty at Kavarati among others.

18 Projects, both in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, have been identified for implementation, out of which 7 Projects are ready for launch through PPP.

After implementation of these projects, investment of about 650 crore rupees is expected from the private sector. Preference would be given to the local people for employment.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh called upon all concerned to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in the islands, particularly for improving air, road and web connectivity, providing good quality drinking water to the residents and power supply.

He directed that designs of these projects be made in such a way to provide maximum benefits to the local population.