PM Narendra Modi calls for speedily firming up plans for development of islands

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for speedily firming up plans for development of islands and harnessing their tourism potential.

A PMO release issued on Wednesday said that the prime minister chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the steps towards holistic development of islands. 

It said the prime minister was given a presentation on the vision for holistic development, which involved inputs from the NITI Aayog, Home Ministry and other senior officials. 

India has a total of 1382 offshore islands, out of which officials have initially proposed to consider 26 for holistic development. 

The release said that these 26 islands are located along different parts of India's coastline, including some in the Andamans and some in Lakshadweep. 

Officials informed the Prime Minister that developmental activities shall be centred around basic infrastructure, tourism, agriculture (including organic agriculture and fisheries), and carbon-neutral energy generation. 

"The prime minister stressed the potential for tourism in these areas. Urging the officials to speedily firm up plans for island development, the prime minister said solar energy should be used extensively in this exercise," the release said.