Union Home Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth ₹373 crore undertaken by the Andaman and Nicobar Union Territory administration at Sri Vijaya Puram. He also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing the three new criminal laws.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.), Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and other senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands occupy a unique place in India’s freedom struggle, noting that many freedom fighters endured imprisonment, torture and martyrdom at the Cellular Jail during British rule. He said the Veer Savarkar memorial and the eternal flame at the Cellular Jail convey to the world the story of sacrifice and courage of India’s freedom fighters.
Recalling Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s historic hoisting of the Tricolour in the islands, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured him by renaming islands in the archipelago as ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Swaraj’. He added that the Prime Minister has undertaken the task of naming islands after heroes of the freedom movement, transforming the region into a pilgrimage site for every Indian.
Shah said the Narendra Modi government has changed the perception of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from being a financial burden to becoming a contributor to the national economy. He said the transformation over the past 11 years reflects the government’s resolve to develop every part of the country while strengthening national unity.
Among the projects inaugurated were an Integrated Command and Control Centre worth ₹229 crore, Phase-I of a district hospital costing ₹33 crore, a Forensic Science Laboratory, and six other schemes worth ₹50 crore. Foundation stones were also laid for two additional projects. Shah said these initiatives mark the beginning of a new chapter in the islands’ development.
The Home Minister said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are emerging as a centre of India’s sovereignty, maritime power and economic activity. He highlighted the upcoming Great Nicobar project, stating that it would transform the island into a global cargo hub, a major tourism centre and a key pillar of India’s strategic security.
Emphasising sustainable development, Shah said the Modi government is promoting tourism, fisheries, agriculture, MSMEs and clean energy in the islands while protecting the environment and preserving heritage. He noted that steps have been taken to develop the region as an international scuba diving and adventure sports destination by upgrading facilities to global standards.
Shah also highlighted environmental and cleanliness initiatives, including the plantation of 2.4 million trees under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign and the collection of waste from 98 per cent of households by the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, calling it a historic success of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Referring to the exhibition on the three new criminal laws, Shah said it would help citizens, students and legal professionals understand the reforms underway in the criminal justice system and the increased role of technology.
Concluding his address, the Home Minister said PM Modi has inspired the nation to aim for becoming the world’s leading country by the centenary of Independence. He stressed that achieving this goal would require Aatmanirbhar Bharat, widespread use of indigenous products and self-reliance across all sectors.
