Port Blair, Aug 12: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands congratulates the citizens residing in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the launch of Chennai – Andaman and Nicobar Islands Submarine Cable by Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on 10th of August 2020. PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the CANI-SMC during his visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 30th of December 2018 and the project was completed in record time and commissioned into service by BSNL yesterday after inauguration by the Prime Minister. CANI-SMC is a game changer for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and will boost the Information Technology and related businesses along with extending the reach of the G2C services provided by different departments to the last mile. Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will also now experience higher footfall because of the increased connectivity. Work from home will be possible and online education can now be accessed by everyone. The segments between Chennai-Port Blair, Port Blair – Little Andaman and Port Blair – Swaraj Deep are now operational and very soon the other segments of the CANI-SMC will be made operational and the whole Andaman and Nicobar Islands would get connected with high speed data and voice services. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi during his speech while inaugurating the CANI-SMC congratulated the residents of the Islands for the Submarine Cable and the opportunities it is bringing in for the Islanders. He further mentioned that CANI-SMC is a gift to the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands before the coming Independence Day. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also mentioned that it was not an easy task to lay the cable in deep ocean and the COVID-19 pandemic also presented several hurdles but still the project was completed on time. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi further termed the CANI-SMC project as the commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the current Govt. in Centre towards making lives easier. The Prime Minister also explained that the facility of high speed internet will also benefit the tourists visiting the Island and will generate more employment in the Islands as tourists will now stay in the Islands for longer duration, because they can remain connected with their families and businesses back home. PM Narendra Modi further stressed that Andaman and Nicobar Islands have now become even more important because now the focus of India is on Business and Co-ordination in Indo Pacific region. As per the Act East policy India the relationship of East Asian Counties and other countries connected with India through sea route is strengthening and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are playing a key role in it. Prime Minister further mentioned that to ensure that Andaman and Nicobar Islands play a key role in the development of the Nation, Island Development Agency was constituted three years ago. The developmental projects of the Islands which were pending since long are now being completed on time.
Prime Minister also mentioned that high impact projects are being taken up in 12 Islands of Andaman and Nicobar group. The Govt. is improving the physical connectivity of the Islands in Road, Air and Water sectors. He mentioned the work of the NH4 Highway is proceeding at a fast pace. Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair will have capacity of handle 1200 passengers at a time in a few months. He mentioned that Airports in Diglipur, Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay are now ready for operations. Water Aerodrome will be constructed in Swaraj Dweep, Saheed Dweep and Long Island with Floating Jetty and Passenger terminal and Sea Planes will be introduced under the Udaan Scheme in the sectors. The Govt. is also focusing in improving the Inter-Island Connectivity. To Improve the connectivity of the Islands with the rest of the world and mainland India delivery of ships from Cochin Shipyard will begin in a few months and Andaman and Nicobar Islands will soon have 4 new ships. Further the facilities to repair vessels will be developed in the Islands which will reduce time for repairs, reduce costs and generate more employment. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar Islands will now develop under the port lead development model.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated under competitive distance from many major ports of the world. Prime Minister further mentioned about the proposal to construct a Transshipment Port in Great Nicobar Island which will cost Rs. 10,000 Crores, he further mentioned that the Govt. is trying that in the coming 4-5 years the first phase of the Transshipment Port be completed. The Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi has ushered a new era of development for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the State BJP Unit along with the citizens of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will forever be grateful to him.