Port Blair, October 6: The foundation stone of four National Highways projects worth Rs 1121 crore in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was laid by Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday. Several shipping projects worth Rs.200 crore will be developed in coming days. The Ministers are on a two-day visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The construction of Dweep connectivity includes 26 km of NH between Beodnabad- Ferrargunj at a cost of Rs 170 crore and 56 km of NH between Austin Creek and Kalra Junction at a cost of Rs 410 crore. Middle Strait Creek Bridge for Rs 262.97 crore and Humphrey Strait Creek Bridge costs for Rs 277.17 crore.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is a transport ministry owned company which is handling the work of the highways in A&N Islands amounting to Rs. 6330 Crore mostly on Upgradation of NH-4.
An alternate Sea Route to Batarang Island will be launched on the shipping side and it has been completed at cost of Rs.45.16 crore and aims to reduce the traffic passing through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve and will improve the connectivity of the island from Port Blair.
Extension of Port Blair’s Wharf in Hope Town will be done by 200 meters at an expenditure of Rs 17.49 crore. The Wharf is used by Indian Oil Corporation for discharging LPG and other petroleum products.
In addition to this, foundation stone will also be laid for construction of Additional Approach Jetty, an extension of Berthing Jetty & Dredging in front of Jetty, Neil Island at a cost of Rs. 38.19 Crore and extension of existing New Dry Dock – II in Port Blair at a cost of Rs 96.24 Crore. At a total cost of about Rs 1350 Crore, new vessels are being constructed across various categories. A&N Administration has proposed an acquisition of 25 ships.