Sri Vijaya Puram, July 14: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has restored and upgraded the HDPE floating jetty at Elephant Beach in Swaraj Dweep, strengthening tourism infrastructure and improving safety and accessibility for thousands of visitors using one of the Islands’ most popular beach destinations.
The Tourism Department completed the repair, re-installation and extension of the floating jetty system after the facility sustained extensive damage over the years due to repeated cyclones and harsh tidal conditions. The upgraded jetty was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar in the presence of senior officers of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The restoration project focused on improving passenger safety and ensuring uninterrupted access to Elephant Beach, a major destination for water-based tourism activities. The Department repaired the existing floating structure, replaced damaged High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) cubicles and installed stainless-steel handrails to enhance safety for tourists boarding and disembarking from boats.
As part of the project, the Tourism Department also extended both sections of the floating jetty beyond their earlier lengths of 86 metres and 56.50 metres respectively. The upgraded facility is expected to improve operational efficiency while supporting safe movement of visitors participating in scuba diving, water sports and other marine tourism activities at Elephant Beach.
The Administration said the restored infrastructure is expected to provide safer, more comfortable and uninterrupted services for tourists visiting the beach, particularly during peak tourism seasons.
The Tourism Department has also taken additional steps to improve visitor amenities at Elephant Beach. On June 4, 2026, it sanctioned the renovation of the eco-friendly changing room and the First Aid Room to strengthen essential facilities available to tourists.
Earlier this year, in March 2026, the Department commissioned a new HDPE floating jetty on the left side of the existing cargo jetty at Swaraj Dweep. The facility was developed to provide safer boarding and alighting arrangements for tourists travelling by boat to Elephant Beach, reducing congestion and improving passenger movement.
The latest restoration project forms part of the Administration’s continuing efforts to modernise tourism infrastructure across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By upgrading key visitor facilities and improving safety standards, the Administration aims to strengthen the overall tourism experience while supporting the sustainable growth of marine and water-based tourism in Swaraj Dweep.
With the completion of the restoration work, Elephant Beach now has an upgraded floating jetty designed to improve visitor safety, facilitate tourism operations and support the increasing number of tourists visiting one of the Islands’ most prominent marine tourism destinations.
