Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 25: Improving air connectivity and accelerating development projects in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands emerged as key issues as Lt Governor Dinesh Sharma held a series of meetings with senior Union government and NITI Aayog officials in New Delhi.
Sharma met Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. R. Naidu and discussed measures to strengthen air connectivity to the islands. The Civil Aviation Minister assured that proposals to increase the number of flights, make airfares more affordable, resume international air services and introduce inter-island seaplane services would be examined seriously, with necessary action to be taken at an early stage.
The discussions assume significance for the islands, where air connectivity is central to links with the mainland. The meeting covered multiple proposals aimed at expanding and improving aviation services to and within the archipelago.
Sharma also met Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and sought his guidance on the development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The two held discussions on the overall development of various sectors in the Union Territory.
Separately, Sharma met NITI Aayog Member R. Balasubramaniam in New Delhi on September 23, 2026, for discussions on the holistic development of the islands in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The meeting with NITI Aayog also focused on preparing a one-financial-year action plan for projects that are already under way. The emphasis on a defined annual action plan places ongoing projects within a time-bound planning framework for development in the islands.
The meetings brought together three areas of policy focus: aviation connectivity, sectoral development and implementation of ongoing projects, during the Lt Governor’s engagements in the national capital.
