Green signal for Shaheed Dweep in Andaman & Nicobar

NEW DELHI: The environment ministry’s expert committee on Coastal projects has given the go ahead for construction of a Rs 172 crore premium category island resort at ‘Shaheed Dweep’ in Andaman & Nicobar.
The move comes within months of the green ministry easing up coastal zone rules and the Centre announcing ambitious island development projects in Anadman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

The tiny island in South Andaman- earlier called Neil island- is known for its rich biodiversity, unexplored coral reefs and green sea turtles nesting sites.

The ministry’s committee has given the green signal on the condition that the project does not overlap with any turtle nesting site, is environment friendly and moves towards nonconventional energy usage Shaheed Dweep is also one the three islands renamed by PM Modi in December 2018 - on the occasion of 75th anniversary of Tricolour hoisting by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Andaman & Nicobar.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) has been given clearance for a 128 room, low rise island resort that will come up across 9.7 hectares of the Shaheed Dweep, just off Bharatpur village.

It is expected that the resort will be ready in 3-5 years and will be given to a private partner for a concession period of 70-75 years.

The island is currently accessible by boat from Port Blair- four days a week. At present there is very thin tourist infrastructure at the island with Tourism department guest house and some restaurants.

The Expert Appraisal Committee for projects related to Coastal Regulation Zone held a meeting on July 25 where it granted CRZ clearance to the project saying it shall be developed as a “role model for tourism industry’ .

The clearance has come with conditions demanding that the project proponent submit written confirmation from the Wildlife office.