Amit Shah Inaugurates ₹373 Crore Projects in Andaman and Nicobar

New Delhi: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹373 crore in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, marking a major boost to infrastructure, healthcare, governance and strategic development in the Union Territory.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shah paid tribute to the freedom fighters who endured immense suffering at the Cellular Jail, describing the islands as a sacred pilgrimage site for every Indian. He said the memorial of Veer Savarkar and the eternal flame in the Cellular Jail send a powerful message of sacrifice and patriotism to the world. Recalling Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s historic hoisting of the Tricolour here, he noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured him by naming the islands ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Swaraj’.

Among the projects inaugurated were an Integrated Command and Control Centre (₹229 crore), Phase-I of the district hospital (₹33 crore), a Forensic Science Laboratory, and several other development schemes. Shri Shah said these initiatives will significantly improve governance, security, healthcare and public services across the islands.

He highlighted the transformation of Andaman and Nicobar under the Modi government, stating that while earlier administrations saw the islands as a burden, they are now becoming a centre of sovereignty, maritime power, tourism and economic activity. The upcoming Great Nicobar Project, he said, will position the region as a global cargo hub, a tourism centre and a key pillar of India’s strategic security.

Shri Shah also announced steps to make the islands a global scuba diving destination, expansion of clean energy, fisheries, MSMEs and agriculture, and the planting of 2.4 million trees under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. He praised the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council for achieving 98% household waste collection, calling it a major success of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

An exhibition on India’s three new criminal laws was also inaugurated, aimed at spreading awareness of upcoming reforms in the justice system.

The Home Minister concluded by reiterating Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a developed and self-reliant nation by the 100th year of Independence.