Port Blair – A heritage island
Port Blair is the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India. These islands lie in the Bay of Bengal. It is the point of entry for anyone wishing to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Indian navy has a base in Port Blair. The city also has India’s first integrated tri command consisting of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.
Port Blair was named after Archibald Blair of the East India Company in 1789 by the Bengal government. For a brief period during World War 2, the Japanese occupied the islands due to lack of opposition. Port Blair was also used as the headquarters of the Azad Hind government under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose.
- Tourist attractions in Port Blair: Port Blair has plenty of tourist attractions that can catch your fancy. The most popular ones are Cellular Jail, Corbyn’s Cove, Mini Zoo, Japanese Bunkers, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Chatam Saw Mill, Ross Island, Anthropological Museum and Samudrika Naval Museum.
- Places to shop in Port Blair: The Aberdeen Bazaar is famous for its wood carvings, jewellery and Port Blair imprinted t-shirts. For local handicrafts, the best place to visit is Sagarika, a government-owned emporium. For handicrafts made from seashells and coconut, head over to The Queen Sea Shell Craft Store.
- Modes of transport: Port Blair has an extensive ferry service as road connectivity is not good. There are plenty of auto-rickshaws in the city but you have to be careful about their rates while travelling. The local bus network is very cheap. You can also hire motorcycles from local shops to get around.
- Weather in Port Blair: Port Blair has a warm and wet climate. The city receives heavy rainfall throughout the year except for the months of January, February and March. There is little variation in temperature throughout the year in Port Blair with the average temperature hovering around 32°C.
Airport in Port Blair
Port Blair Airport is just 2 km away from the city of Port Blair. IndiGo operates multiple connecting flights between Port Blair and major cities in the eastern part of India weekly. For more information on flight routes and availability, visit the IndiGo website.
- Airport Address: Lamba Line, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744103
- Airport IATA code: IXZ