<span style="color: #222222;">NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the Island Development Agency (IDA) headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh had directed NITI Aayog to steer the holistic development of islands. Addressing the investors' conference for the holistic development of Islands in New Delhi today, Mr Kant said aayog objective is to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly development of projects in Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep islands. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said government will keep in mind the carrying capacity of these pristine islands to ensure they are never under burden.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">       </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports, sustainable development of Islands and overall maritime development has been accorded high priority by the Government. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">IDA was constituted in June 2017, while NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the Holistic Development of Islands program, along with the respective UT administration and State Governments. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Under the program in the first phase 10 Islands in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been taken up for holistic development.</span><br />''