<span style="color: #222222;">The Andaman and Nicobar Command handed over historic Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island to Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the larger development of tourism and infrastructure growth of the island. The official ceremony was held today at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island where Commander-in-Chief of A&N Command Lt. General Ajai Singh symbolically handed over the administrative control of the island to Dy. Commissioner, South Andaman Suneel Anchipaka. He also remembered the historical importance and series of events related to this island. He looked forward for overall development of the island as a tourist destination under the control of Administration. He said, for security and defence purposes, a Naval Post was set up there. But with few constraints, the development of the island as a tourist destination was not feasible. Therefore, it is being handed over to the Administration.<br />''<br />''The Lt. General further added that NITI Ayog and Island Development Agency has taken several initiatives to develop these Islands under Act East Policy in the last few years. The A&N Islands are strategically very significant for the country. Therefore, boosting connectivity is very crucial. Expansion is being done to strengthen air connectivity with the mainland. This will also help in tourism growth.<br />''<br />''The island have been under Administrative Control of INS Jarwa since 1967. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island had been Administrative headquarters of British rule in the islands till the Japanese occupied it in 1942. The island had Chief Commissioner Bungalow and other structures which got damaged during Second World War. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose also stayed on the island during his visit to Andaman and Nicobar in 1943.<br />''<br />''In October last year, when Union Home Minister on his visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands stated that in near future, we are going to develop this island too and will build a grand memorial for Netaji at the same place (at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island).<br />''<br />''The island is situated three kilometers away from Port Blair. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed it Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in December 2018. Erstwhile, it was known as Ross Island. The island is a tourist spot and opens for the public. One of the main attractions is spotting deers and peacocks in open areas. The island have more than 500 deers and 120 peacocks. The island also have a lone sailor statue and a lighthouse on the backside. It is India's first solar lighthouse.</span><br />