Tuesday, January 3 2006 14:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Port Blair: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on a three-day tour today (Jan 03, 2006) amidst tight security to lay the foundation of several development projects in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami.

This will be his second visit to the Andamans since it was ravaged by the tsunami on December 26, 2004.

Rajnivas sources here said the PM would visit the intermediate shelter's site at Brichgunj after which he would lay the foundation stone of the passenger terminal at Haddo wharf at 5 pm.

The new passenger terminal will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 9 crore and will replace the passenger terminal damaged by the tsunami.

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the working women's hostel to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.30 crores at Port Blair. He is scheduled to address a press meet on the day of his departure.

The Prime Minister's visit will take him to Greater Andaman and Car Nicobar Islands.

However, the tsunami ravaged Little Andaman's will not be on the Prime Minister's packed schedule this time too, much to the disappointment of the people there, the sources said.