NITI Aayog all set to bring Andaman & Lakshadweep to tourism map
Two project management agencies have been constituted by NITI Aayog to develop Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands under the Incredible Islands Projects of India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Corporation Limited and the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports, Lakshdweep, have been earmarked as agencies that will be working to develop tourism prospects in these islands.
The government also wants to develop eco-tourism projects in Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. “The development component includes eco-tourism facility with the development of resorts, tents and tree houses besides other infrastructure projects to support the facility. A water desalination plant, solar power generation facility, necessary infrastructure for beach operations and a floating jetty are also in the pipeline. Hotel revenue streams such as room rentals, food and beverage; banquet and conference services are also looked into,” said NITI Aayog in a press statement.
Potential for other tourism activities such as scuba-diving, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, water surfing, para gliding, para sailing, paddle boating, yachting and game fishing are also being explored. NITI Aayog has started the procedure through a two stage international competitive bidding, which will be done first by short listing at RFQ stage, technical eligibility criteria based on relevant experience in hotel operation/ hotel ownership, financial eligibility criteria based on net worth, net cash accruals, and optimum sharing of risks between developer and the government.
There are as many as seven ready-to-launch projects and four projects in pipeline that included two in Little Andaman and two water villa project in Lakshadweep Islands. Projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands included a beach resort in Long Islands, beach tents in Aves Islands, beach tents and tree houses at Smith Islands and beach resorts at Neil Islands. The government is also developing Ro-Ro facility for greater connectivity and future investment opportunity in seaplane service, helicopter service and solar power etc is being explored. Projects in Lakshadweep included beach resorts in Minicoy, Suheli and Kadamat Islands. The government will also provide all facilities to develop eco-tourism in the islands.
