Port Blair
The beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to become more lively with the administration planning to give permits for more than 150 shacks, an official said on Sunday. The administration came up with the plan based on feedback from tourists, who feel that the picturesque beaches of the islands are not as lively as they expect after sunset, he said. At present, tourists are not allowed to venture close to the sea at night on most of the beaches of the island, he added. According to the plan, permits will be given for 20 beach shacks on Havelock island, and 40 shacks on Neil island, Tourism Department director Jatinder Sohal said. In Havelock, 10 beach shacks will be set up in Kalapathar, 15 in Elephanta and five in Sitapur. While in Neil, 20 shacks each will come up on Laxmanpur and Bharatpur beaches, he said. Permits will be given for 10 beach shacks each at Corbyn’s Cove and Badabalu in Port Blair. In Middle Andaman, 40 beach shacks will come up — 15 in Raman Bagaicha, 10 in Cutbert Bay and 15 in Baludera, Sohal said. Also, 25 shacks will be permitted in Middle Andaman with 15 at Karmatang in Mayabunder and 10 at Ramnagar in Diglipur. Unauthorised hawkers and temporary shacks have come up in an unorganised manner at the popular beaches. This gives a very shabby look, spoiling the beauty and ambience of the beautiful beaches apart from causing disturbance to the visitors, Sohal said.
