Andaman and Nicobar Administration

Directorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

 

 

 

Port Blair March 30, 2015.

 

 

 

Press Release

 

 

 

 

Union Minister inaugurates Geophysical Observatory at Shoal Bay

Our Country now well equipped to tackle any

 eventuality due to disaster: Dr. Harsh Vardhan

 

 

 

          Port Blair, Mar 30: The Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today said that India can now boast of being one of the most scientifically advanced countries and as a result of this, it is now well equipped to tackle any situation effectively arising out of natural calamities and disasters. Inaugurating the Multi-Parametric Geophysical Observatory set up by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism at Shoal Bay No. 8 today, the Minister attributed this to the invaluable contributions made by our scientists who, he said, continue to make relentless efforts for their scientific innovations for the development of the country. 

 

        The Union Minister inaugurated the Observatory in the presence of the Lt Governor, Lt Gen. AK Singh (Retd), Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, Adhyaksha Zila Parishad, Ms VK Mariam Bibi, Smt. Rupa Ray, the State BJP President, Shri Vishal Jolly, senior officers from the A&N Administration, PRIs, besides a good number of general public and school students.

 

        Dr. Harsh Vardhan further stated that after taking charge of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, he got a chance to see for himself the work & innovation done by our scientists. The world recognizes it and the whole country is proud of our scientists and their scientific works, he added.

 

        Referring to the December 2004 Tsunami disaster which shook the entire Nation, the Minister said that Tsunami was new to all of us and our country was not at all prepared to tackle this natural occurrence. However, after that tragedy, our scientists joined together and we are now well equipped with early warning systems to tackle any eventualities due to disaster like earthquake etc. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, India is much ahead in terms of Early Warning Systems and this is evident from the fact that about 28 nations depend and act upon the real time data provided by India, which, he said, is a matter of great pride for all of us.  

 

        The Minister, who himself is a physician, also noted with appreciation that the Medical College project for A&N Islands which was sanctioned during his tenure as the Health Minister,  is moving in the right direction and it will fulfill the long pending demand of the people of these Islands. He also acknowledged the painstaking effort made by the Lt Governor, the Member of Parliament and the local BJP leadership by regularly meeting him in Delhi to get the Medical College project sanctioned.

 

        Dr. Harsh Vardhan said it was his dream from childhood to visit these islands which was fulfilled today. He highlighted the contribution of Veer Savarkar in the freedom struggle who was incarcerated in the Cellular Jail. One can imagine the inhumane tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who fought for the Country’s Independence. Dr. Harsha Vardhan opined that A&N Islands is a place of pilgrimage where the freedom fighters have made supreme sacrifices in the cause of the motherland. “If there is a sacred place in the country it is Andamans where the National Memorial Cellular Jail is a testimony to the great suffering of the freedom fighters”, he added.

 

        The Minister also presented mementoes to the heads of the Departments who have contributed towards the setting up of the new Multiparametric Geophysical Observatory at Shoal Bay. The dignitaries also planted saplings at the precincts of the Observatory, adding greenery to the campus.

 

        In his address on the occasion, the Lt. Governor briefed the Union Minister about the significance of A&N Islands pertaining to its historical, geological & ecological importance. He said, the A& N Islands which consist of 556 Islands out of which 37 are inhabited, is one of the best hot-spots in the world. The Lt. Governor also touched upon the supreme sacrifices made by our freedom fighters, who withstood all sorts of challenges and fought valiantly to attain independence for our country. He also recalled the contributions of settlers for the development of these islands.

 

       The Lt. Governor said, these Islands are rightly called ‘Islands of good fortune’ and it is a pride for all of us that despite challenges, the Islands have developed and progressed well- the credit goes to the freedom fighters, settlers, the Member of Parliament, the PRIs, the party workers and of course the administration for their constant and untiring efforts towards all-round development of the Islands.

 

       The Lt. Governor also reiterated the resolve and commitment of the Administration to work in synergy to take the Islands on the path of faster progress and this can only be achieved by a concerted team effort by all. He appreciated the move made by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) for setting up of the Geophysical Observatory here in the Islands, considering that these Islands lie in Seismic Zone 5 and that the setting up of such Laboratory is going to be immensely beneficial to the Islands. The Lt. Governor also lauded the efforts of the Indian National Centre for Ocean  Information Science (INCOIS), Hyderabad for their frequent updates and early warnings on natural disaster such as earthquake, cyclones etc. 

 

       The Lt. Governor also urged the Union Minister to help the Island Administration to set up a Desalination Plant at Mayabunder or Chowra on a pilot project basis in order to overcome water scarcity in these places. He also requested for setting up of Biotechnology Research Centre and said the Administration is ready to extend help, if needed, in this regard.

 

        In brief address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his happiness that a useful asset has been created in the Islands by establishing the Multiparametric Geophysical Observatory at Shoal Bay and urged the Minster to upgrade this Observatory into a Regional Centre for the benefit of the Islanders.

 

        Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman, Governing Council, IIG, Padmashree, Dr. V.P. Dimri said altogether 14 Geophysical Observatories including the one at Shoal Bay No.8 are functioning under Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) in the country for mitigating natural disaster of varied origins. He said the Geophysical Observatories are placed in different parts of the country and the country has taken a big leap in the field of Science and Technology over the past few years. 

 

        The Students of Mannarghat School presented welcome song and national Anthem befitting the occasion.

 

        The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director, IIG,   Prof. D.S. Ramesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much awaited flight services between Port Blair and Vishakhapatnam to start from 9^th April, 2015

 

        The much awaited flight services between Port Blair and Vishakapatnam is scheduled to commence from 9^th April, 2015. As per the arrangement made by A & N Administration, Air India will operate weekly two flights on Vishakapatnam-Port Blair-Vishakapatnam sector with its 168 seater Airbus A-320 aircraft on every Monday and Thursday.  The Air India flight No. AI 487 will originate from New Delhi at 07:00 hrs and reach Vishakapatnam at 09:15 hrs. From Vishakapatnam the flight will depart at 10:00 hrs and reach Port Blair at 12:10 hrs. On its return flight No AI 488, the aircraft will depart from Port Blair at 12:50 hrs to reach Vishakapatnam at 15:00 hrs. Thereafter the flight will continue to fly upto Delhi after a brief halt of 45 minutes at Vishakapatnam and reach Delhi at 18:00 hrs.

 

        Total 50 seats on Port Blair-Vizag–Port Blair sector each way will be reserved in favour of A & N Administration. The modality for the sale of these 50 seats meant for the Islanders, cost of tickets etc is under finalization with Air India, which shall be announced shortly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adherence to Building Byelaws in Public Interest: Secretary, PBMC

 

PRESS NOTE

 

        All buildings in the municipal area are required to be constructed following laid down norms, standards and set of rules. The norms/rules are framed in public interest and interest of end user, building owner or occupier. The rules guide the citizens to have proper building for comfortable human habitation with optimum area, ventilation, sufficient stairs and passage width, fire safety, distance between two buildings for safe disposal of waste water, etc. Municipal byelaws are a set of norms and standards concisely put together for the benefit and use of common man. The PBMC like any other local body is vested with the powers to regulate all construction activity. Construction beyond the rules is a threat to public safety, causing hindrance in planning of better civic amenities and also poses danger to the occupiers. On noticing any departure/ deviation / violation of the rules, the council issues notice/ orders as provided under relevant rules to stay the construction.

 

        Whereas there may be a scope for some relaxation in case of building with minor violation specially in case of smaller residential plots, giving a carte blanche for all unauthorized buildings by regularizing them does not hold any merit.  At the other end of the spectrum there are commercial establishments, hotels, bigger residential buildings, where departure from the building byelaws is absolutely deliberate and includes commercial motives. There shall be clear distinction between the violations which can be tolerated having regard to the stability and other factors and cases where regularization should be allowed under no circumstances.

 

        The PBMC functions in the larger public interest to provide a planned, safe and hygienic city. General public is requested to co-operate with the PBMC in its endeavour to have a smart, safe, clean city with an appeal to construct buildings as per norms of PBMC.

 

Sd/-

Secretary

Municipal Council