MoD orders high-level probe into illegal realty projects in Andaman’s Viper Island
In July 2012, the Navy Component Commander and CGCC gave a preliminary approval for the project, which was awarded to Kolkata based firm M/s Reacon Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd and a Malaysian company, Pembinaan Megah Mutiara Sdn Bhd, under the PPP mode by the Andaman administration. The final approval was given by former vice-admiral Vijay Shankar after having discussion with other concerned ministries.
Viper Island, popularly known as ‘Hell on Earth,’ no longer remains the same as it was during the freedom struggle in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With MNCs eyeing profitable business venture, incidents of murkier land deals and developmental projects flagrantly ‘flouting norms’ in the name of TRP have already created resentment among the local people, apart from causing serious threat to national security.
The controversy over the project, which was hushed up for the last few months, once again became a concern for those posted in the islands when the deal was signed. A senior defence officer in Port Blair, said, ‘There are chances that agencies who deal with financial fraud will also start a parallel probe to dig out whether there was an underhand deal in giving clearance to the project or not.’
Preliminary inquiry has revealed company officials were allotted 21,840 sqm in port water in front of old Viper Jetty for construction of the 50-unit Yatch Marina against a nominal rent of Rs.11.80 lakhs per annum (without any increase during the lease period of 35 years). As per the agreement, an additional central assistance of Rs 7.5 crore for the development of the Marina, Rs 1.5 crore for procurement and operation of 35-room luxury boats and Rs 4 crores for the procurement and operation of two 15-seater mechanised boats was signed in the MoU.
As per norms laid under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and island protection zone (IPZ), no such project can be implemented. But the developers, without obtaining any environmental clearance, had already ended up chopping some old trees.
‘If required the former Lieutenant Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhupinder Singh could be asked for his version of the issue. It is a serious matter because Viper Island is close to the defence establishment and Attam Pahad where the defence arms and ammunition depot are located,’ a MoD source said.
Viper Island, popularly known as ‘Hell on Earth,’ no longer remains the same as it was during the freedom struggle in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With MNCs eyeing profitable business venture, incidents of murkier land deals and developmental projects flagrantly ‘flouting norms’ in the name of TRP have already created resentment among the local people, apart from causing serious threat to national security.
The controversy over the project, which was hushed up for the last few months, once again became a concern for those posted in the islands when the deal was signed. A senior defence officer in Port Blair, said, ‘There are chances that agencies who deal with financial fraud will also start a parallel probe to dig out whether there was an underhand deal in giving clearance to the project or not.’
Preliminary inquiry has revealed company officials were allotted 21,840 sqm in port water in front of old Viper Jetty for construction of the 50-unit Yatch Marina against a nominal rent of Rs.11.80 lakhs per annum (without any increase during the lease period of 35 years). As per the agreement, an additional central assistance of Rs 7.5 crore for the development of the Marina, Rs 1.5 crore for procurement and operation of 35-room luxury boats and Rs 4 crores for the procurement and operation of two 15-seater mechanised boats was signed in the MoU.
As per norms laid under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and island protection zone (IPZ), no such project can be implemented. But the developers, without obtaining any environmental clearance, had already ended up chopping some old trees.
‘If required the former Lieutenant Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) Bhupinder Singh could be asked for his version of the issue. It is a serious matter because Viper Island is close to the defence establishment and Attam Pahad where the defence arms and ammunition depot are located,’ a MoD source said.