Mayabunder, June 28: Mr. Abdul Siddique, former Pramukh of Mayabunder, met the Chief Secretary of A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, at the APWD Guest House in Mayabunder yesterday. The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Nandini Maharaj, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of North & Middle Andaman District.
During the meeting, Mr. Siddique raised two long-pending public demands that he urged the administration to address on priority.
The first issue highlighted was the resumption of MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu ship services for the people of Diglipur and Mayabunder. These vessels, which used to provide regular transport till the end of 2024, were especially crucial for patients, elderly citizens, and economically weaker sections needing to travel to Port Blair for medical and personal reasons. The current replacement with speed boats lacking bunks and cabins, such as MV Strait Island and MV Jolly Buoy, has caused immense hardship, especially for those in medical distress. Mr. Siddique submitted a request to restore the services of MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu to ease travel difficulties on this vital route.
The second issue pertained to the construction of a playground on the already allotted land at Pokadera, which was earmarked for the purpose back in 2008. The 1-hectare land under Survey No. 129/1 lies close to the North Andaman regional headquarters and is ideally located for a recreational facility. Mr. Siddique emphasized that constructing the playground would greatly benefit not just Pokadera’s youth but also surrounding villages by promoting physical fitness and community activities.
In a written representation submitted to the Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Siddique requested urgent action on both these long-pending demands for the betterment of the people of N&M Andaman. The Chief Secretary reportedly assured that both matters would be duly examined and that necessary directions would be issued to the concerned departments for follow-up.
