Car Nicobar connected by air

A long cherished dream of the people of the southern group of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, especially Car Nicobar, was fulfilled Thursday as India established air connectivity with this remote part of the country.

The historic moment for residents of the Nicobar group of islands came with the inauguration of a chartered flight service in the Port Blair-Car Nicobar sector by the Andaman and Nicobar Lt. Governor, Lt.Gen. (retd) A.K. Singh, at the Indian Air Force station here.

The Lt. Governor said the task of introducing a chartered flight between Port Blair and Car Nicobar was undertaken as part of the 100-day target of the home and civil aviation ministries and the island administration.

Reiterating the commitment of the administration towards the welfare of all the tribal people of the islands, he said: "The administration remains responsible and accountable for the safety and well-being of our tribes."

Singh said the Alliance Air flight would connect the most distant district headquarters of the country to the national capital in 4-5 hours.

The flight will ply in the Delhi-Port Blair-Car Nicobar-Port Blair-Delhi sector every Thursday.

Adding colour to the inaugural ceremony, Nicobar's youth presented songs and folk dances, much to the delight of the gathering.

At the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair in the morning, passengers going to Car Nicobar by the maiden flight were accorded a red carpet welcome.

The Alliance Air flight CRJ 700, that landed at the IAF station in Car Nicobar, was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

As the plane taxied to the parking bay, it received a rousing welcome from villagers who had gathered on the historic occasion.