A fresh push for infrastructure, energy security, and tourism expansion in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands was outlined during a high-level engagement in the national capital, where Lt Governor D.K. Joshi met the Prime Minister and separately participated in a key power sector roundtable, placing a multi-sector development roadmap on the table.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, the Lt Governor apprised the Centre of recently awarded public-private partnership projects in the high-end eco-tourism segment. These projects, focused on five-star luxury developments, have been structured on a revenue-sharing model with annually escalating lease fees, positioning them as long-term revenue generators for the administration. The emphasis, according to the briefing, is on combining ecological sustainability with premium tourism infrastructure to attract higher-value visitors while maintaining environmental safeguards.
The discussion also focused on emerging pressures linked to population growth and large infrastructure projects in the pipeline. The Lt Governor flagged water security as a critical concern, indicating that demand is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Long-term measures were proposed to ensure adequate supply and resilience, particularly in view of expanding urban and tourism footprints across the islands.
A major thrust of the presentation was on the islands’ strategic potential in the blue economy. With a substantial share of the country’s exclusive economic zone and coastline, the islands were positioned as a potential hub for marine-based economic activities. Proposals included advancing studies on seabed minerals and leveraging maritime resources in a sustainable manner, aligning with broader national priorities in ocean-based development.
Infrastructure expansion formed another key pillar of the roadmap. The Lt Governor proposed the development of additional greenfield airports at select locations to handle rising tourist inflows. This is expected to complement existing aviation infrastructure and reduce pressure on current facilities, particularly as visitor numbers continue to climb.
Energy security and future demand projections were taken up in detail during the Power Minister’s roundtable at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. Highlighting the expected surge in electricity requirements due to upcoming mega projects such as an international container transshipment terminal and new airports, the Lt Governor recommended the consideration of Small Modular Reactors for selected island locations.
The proposal underscored the need for scalable and reliable power solutions in geographically dispersed and logistically challenging regions. It was pointed out that similar technologies are already operational in seismically sensitive zones in other parts of the world, including offshore and floating nuclear plants. In addition to power generation, such systems could also support freshwater production through cooling processes, offering a dual benefit for island ecosystems.
The Lt Governor also drew attention to pending issues around power sector privatization, indicating that early resolution would be essential for shaping the long-term energy roadmap of the islands. The transition, as suggested, would play a critical role in ensuring efficiency, investment inflows, and service reliability in the sector.
Beyond energy and tourism, the roadmap also included positioning the islands as a hub for ship repair and construction in the Indian Ocean Region. This aligns with the broader maritime strategy and leverages the islands’ strategic location along key shipping routes.
The engagements collectively reflect a coordinated attempt to align infrastructure growth, environmental sustainability, and economic expansion. With multiple proposals spanning tourism, energy, water, and maritime sectors, the discussions signal a renewed focus on integrated development planning for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with an emphasis on long-term resilience and revenue generation.
