Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 13: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, MP, A&N Islands met Union Minister for Rural Development Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 11.08.2026 and apprised him of the issue regarding sanction of rural road projects under PMGSY-IV in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The MP requested reconsideration of the 181 rural road proposals submitted by the UT Administration under the PMGSY-IV Guidelines, 2024. He pointed out that only 44 roads have so far been approved, while the remaining 137 roads were not considered under the revised guidelines.
The MP also requested that the unique geographical and developmental challenges of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands be considered and that the UT be given the benefit of Special Category States/UTs under PMGSY-IV, on the lines of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Rural Development Minister took note of the matter. The Ministry informed that a meeting will be convened shortly with the officials of the UT Administration, Ministry of Rural Development and MP Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray for a detailed and fruitful discussion on the issue.
The MP expressed hope that the matter would be resolved favourably in the interest of improving rural connectivity and balanced development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
