Andaman & Nicobar Development: ₹373 Crore Projects Inaugurated

Syllabus: Infrastructure and Strategic Security

Ministry of Home Affairs

Why in news?

Union Home Minister inaugurated and laid foundation for development projects worth ₹373 crore in Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair), positioning A&N as a strategic hub for trade, tourism, and maritime security.

⚛️Static Concepts

Sagarmala ProjectAct East Policy↗Island Development Agency

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Prelims-Oriented Points

Projects worth ₹373 crore inaugurated including Integrated Command and Control Centre (₹229 crore), Phase-I District Hospital (₹33 crore), and Forensic Science Laboratory.
Great Nicobar Project: Envisioned as global cargo hub, tourism centre, and strategic security pillar.
Port Blair renamed to Sri Vijaya Puram; islands named after freedom fighters (Shaheed, Swaraj) by PM Modi.
ISO standard upgrades for scuba diving to make A&N an international diving destination.

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Examiner's Trap: Sri Vijaya Puram is the NEW name for Port Blair; the renaming is part of removing colonial-era nomenclature.

Quick Data Points

₹373 crore projects

₹229 crore for Integrated Command Centre

₹33 crore for district hospital

98% household waste collection achievement

Mains Value Addition

GS-3: Infrastructure; Maritime Security; Blue Economy.

Strategic Location: A&N islands are critical for surveillance of key sea lanes and projecting naval power in Indo-Pacific.
Economic Transformation: Great Nicobar Project to create global cargo hub, shifting A&N from 'exchequer burden' to contributor.
Environmental Balance: 2.4 million trees planted under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' while pursuing development.

Source

Press Information Bureau (PIB)

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