What do we know about ANIIDCO?
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)
| Topic: GS2 – Governance |
| Context |
| ● ANIIDCO, a quasi-government agency in Port Blair, is responsible for a ₹72,000 crore infrastructure project in Great Nicobar.
● Despite its mandate for balanced development, ANIIDCO faces challenges including inadequate expertise, environmental governance issues, and conflicts of interest. |
Information about ANIIDCO:
- Established on June 28, 1988, under the Companies Act.
- Based in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Engages in trading petroleum products, liquor, and milk.
- Manages tourism resorts and infrastructure development for tourism and fisheries.
Mandate:
- Develop and commercially exploit natural resources in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Promote balanced and environment-friendly development.
- Focus on tourism, fisheries, and infrastructure projects.
- Support trading activities including petroleum products, liquor, and milk.
Challenges faced:
- Lacks an environmental policy and specialised human resources at the project’s initiation.
- Faced delays in recruiting experts like urban planners and environmental specialists.
- Conflicts of interest emerged with officials involved in both project approval and oversight.
- Struggled with issues related to environmental governance and compliance.
- Encountered criticism regarding its capacity to handle the ₹72,000 crore project effectively.
| Practice Question: Discuss the potential challenges and implications associated with the development of large-scale infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions, using the ongoing infrastructure development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a case study. (250 Words /15 marks) |
