Published on : Monday, July 30, 2018
Incidentally, the NITI Aayog is still working out to chart a roadmap for the development of 26 islands so that they can offer services as seen in the tourist-friendly South-East Asian countries.
A senior Niti Aayog official said that PM has asked that at least two islands be readied immediately. India promises to develop Lakshadweep and another in Nicobar in best tourism infrastructure.
The NITI Aayog has entrusted the task of coordinating the inter-ministerial fast-tracking of projects and their executions to senior official Tajamul Haque. In June, the Indian PM had reviewed the progress of works on the development of these 26 islands during which he directed that there should be linkages with the South-East Asian countries.
The instructions were given to other ministries that there was no delay in sanctioning approvals and extending support for execution of projects. In the last review meeting, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed his ministry had withdrawn the requirement of restricted area permit for Andaman and Nicobar.
The PM’s urgency to see at least two islands go off the block is also aimed at giving signals to entrepreneurs for joining the ambitious plan, besides taking up stakes in development of facilities.