Government has drawn the broad contours inviting private players to develop India’s islands into world class tourist destinations. As per as TOI report, NITI Aayog has recently come out with a draft concession agreement for development and operation of these island resorts and supporting infrastructure in public-private partnership mode. The Aayog hopes to use the agreement, developed in consultation with the ministry of tourism, as base document for developing specific eco-tourism projects.

As per the agreement, the concessionaire will have the exclusive right, license and authority to construct, operate and maintain the project and provide hospitality services during the concession period of 66 years. The government, on its part, has eased the regulations for developing these zones and will provide land on the 10 identified islands for project development.

These anchor tourism projects identified will be developed on government-owned land in Smith, Aves, Long, Neil & Little Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and in Kadmat, Suheli and Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. “The concessionaire will have to undertake designing, construction, finance, development, operation and maintenance of the following additional facilities, the ancillary facilities, as part of the project,” the Aayog said in an agreement.

Besides, the concessionaire shall be entitled to develop the beach for providing beach facilities such as beach activities (jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, game fishing, kayaking, water surfing, para gliding etc.), beach beds, changing rooms, watch towers etc. “The concessionaire shall be responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and security of any such beach facilities while also ensuring that these activities are managed and undertaken in accordance with applicable laws and applicable permits,” it said, adding that the concessionaire shall be liable for any wrong on the beach during these activities.

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