Sri Vijaya Puram, August 25: The proposed Marine Drive project and rural tourism development at Mithakhari Seashore came under discussion during a visit to Viper Island by Andaman & Nicobar Administration Chief Secretary Gyanesh Bharti on August 23, 2026, with officials examining measures aimed at improving connectivity, tourism infrastructure and livelihood opportunities.
Bharti, who recently assumed charge as Chief Secretary, visited the island accompanied by Heads of various departments of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. The visit included discussions on development initiatives concerning the area and the potential for coordinated implementation involving government departments and local Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The proposed Marine Drive project emerged as one of the key issues discussed during the visit. The deliberations also covered the development of rural tourism at Mithakhari Seashore, with emphasis on the area’s natural and scenic potential and the creation of sustainable opportunities for local communities.
The visit brought together representatives from the Administration and grassroots-level local bodies to discuss development priorities. Mohd Safiq, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Mithakhari, and Y. Venkatesh, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Namunaghar, attended the discussions.
Safiq apprised the Chief Secretary of the development potential of Mithakhari Seashore and highlighted the need for focused interventions to develop the area as a rural tourism destination.
The discussions linked tourism development with potential employment and economic opportunities for residents of the area. The focus remained on using the area’s natural and scenic attributes while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities.
The Administration also stressed the need for coordination among the departments concerned and Panchayati Raj Institutions to facilitate the implementation of development projects.
The participation of local Panchayati Raj representatives provided an opportunity to place local development concerns before the Administration during the visit. The discussions covered both infrastructure and tourism-related initiatives, with connectivity forming part of the broader development agenda.
The visit and deliberations are expected to provide further momentum to the proposed development initiatives and strengthen coordination between the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and grassroots-level Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The discussions at Viper Island on August 23 therefore centred on two linked priorities, improving connectivity through the proposed Marine Drive project and exploring rural tourism development at Mithakhari Seashore, while keeping local livelihood opportunities among the issues considered.
