Centre orders strengthening air connectivity infrastructure in Lakshadweep

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday directed Ministry officials to strengthen infrastructure with regard to air connectivity in Lakshdweep.

Rajnath's instructions came at an Advisory Committee meeting for Lakshadweep here, a Ministry statement said.

The Advisory Committee meeting discussed issues of connectivity like air, shipping, and internet in Lakshadweep in detail when its members, associated with the Home Ministry, suggested 79 agenda items relating to different fields of development and security in the islands.

"Agreeing with their request, the Home Minister directed that air connectivity infrastructure be strengthened and facilities increased, and the matters should be taken up with the Civil Aviation Ministry," the statement said.

It was decided that shipping, port and harbour infrastructure should be improved substantially for which a perspective plan (2015-2030) having, inter alia, provision of induction of 13 ships and vessels, has been given 'no objection' by the Shipping Ministry and the Home Ministry would soon take a decision on it, it said.

As per the statement, internet connectivity in Lakshadweep will be improved from 106 Mbps to 318 Mbps, which is to be further improved by laying optical fibre cable, which is under process.

The matters relating to land compensation, filling up of vacant posts, education, drinking water supply, power (especially clean energy), tourism, fisheries, industries, coastal security and implementation of advance agriculture technologies, including polyhouses, drip and sprinkler irrigation were also discussed in the meeting.

The Home Minister expressed satisfaction on the implementation of different central schemes, such as Housing for All, Aadhaar enrolment, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, renewable energy, PAHAL, National Health Mission and the banking facilities.

He asked Ministry officials to take up all inter-ministerial matters with Ministries concerned and the Lakshadweep administration for implementation in a time-bound manner.

Rajnath Singh said he would personally intervene wherever required for implementation of the Advisory Committee recommendations.

The members thanked Rajnath Singh for increased pace of development in the islands, particularly on issues related to shipping, health, power, and drinking water supply and hoped for speedy development in all sectors.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Lakshdweep Minister P.P. Mohammed Faizal, Secretary of Lakshadweep Tariz Tomas, and senior Home Ministry officials.

--IANS

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