Port Blair(Sri Vijaya Puram): The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are set to get a fresh push to inter-island air connectivity, with the UT Administration signing an MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) under RCS–UDAN 6.0.
The initiative envisages affordable air links between the islands through seaplanes and small fixed-wing aircraft, potentially opening up faster access to healthcare, education and essential services while also giving a boost to tourism, trade and employment.
Under the modified UDAN framework, airline operators will be eligible for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for up to five years, with the Centre bearing 90 per cent of the VGF and the UT Administration contributing the remaining 10 per cent.
The arrangement also provides for AAI support in the operation and maintenance of airports and water aerodromes, while the UT Administration will levy only 1 per cent VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). The Administration will additionally provide essential support for firefighting, security, utilities and other infrastructure required to operationalise the connectivity network.
For an island territory where distance and dependence on sea transport continue to influence access to essential services and economic opportunities, the proposed network could add a new dimension to regional mobility.
