Nishar Mohammed
Sri Vijayapuram, August 19: Zilla Parishad Member from Guptapara constituency and former Adhyaksh of the South Andaman Zilla Parishad, Mr. Prakash Adhikari, has welcomed the proposed construction of two new water reservoirs in the Guptapara area, describing the projects as a major relief for residents of South Andaman who face recurring water shortages during the dry season.
Addressing a press conference this evening, Mr. Adhikari said that South Andaman has been facing serious water shortages every year, with residents at times experiencing disruptions for 10 to 12 days. He said the situation could become more difficult this year if rainfall remains below normal. According to him, the proposed Guptapara Dam and another dam at Macca Pahar, upstream of Guptapara, would significantly augment the region’s water storage capacity.
Mr. Adhikari said the two proposed reservoirs, with capacities mentioned during the briefing, would together provide storage substantially greater than the existing Dhanikhari Dam. He said the Detailed Project Report is being prepared through the Central Water Commission and expressed hope that the DPR process would be completed within the coming one and a half years, followed by construction. He estimated that the overall process could take around five years, after which South Andaman could see a major improvement in its long-term water security.
He recalled that he had been raising the issue of additional water storage since he first became a Zilla Parishad member in 2005 and had repeatedly taken it up in district-level meetings and other platforms. He particularly thanked former Chief Secretary Mr. Jitendra Narain, who, according to him, had visited the area in 2024 and discussed the need for a long-term solution to the water shortage.
Mr. Adhikari also advocated the creation of smaller reservoirs and ponds in rural areas as an interim and supplementary measure. He suggested that two- to four-hectare reservoirs could be developed in different panchayats to store rainwater and help meet the water requirements of villages during the months when shortages generally become severe.
Turning to road infrastructure, Mr. Adhikari said several long-pending projects in the Guptapara, Manglutan and Wandoor areas are now moving forward. He said the approximately nine-kilometre Wandoor road has recently been completed, providing improved connectivity to an important tourism area.
He also highlighted the commencement of work on the approximately 1.75-kilometre stretch from Guptapara Junction towards Manglutan Junction. According to him, the road serves several important public facilities, including a middle school, senior secondary school, police station, veterinary facility and the Manglutan Primary Health Centre. He said the road had been in demand for nearly 15 to 20 years and that the present project, estimated to cost around Rs. 5 crore, would substantially improve connectivity for residents and patients.
Mr. Adhikari thanked the administration and APWD officials, particularly Commissioner, for giving priority to the road project. He also said that a pending stretch near the Bamba Nala area, where waterlogging has been a recurring problem, has been sanctioned and tendered. He expressed hope that the remaining road stretch between Dhanikhari Dam and Guptapara Junction would also be taken up soon, stating that the condition of the approximately two-kilometre section remains poor.
On tourism development, Mr. Adhikari said the administration’s focus on Wandoor and other tourism destinations would need to be accompanied by better road connectivity. He specifically mentioned the proposed development of the Manjeri Sunset Point, stating that the project had been pending for several years and that a revised estimate has now been prepared. He expressed confidence that the project would receive the necessary sanction soon.
Mr. Adhikari also spoke about education initiatives being undertaken through the South Andaman Zilla Parishad. He said the Zilla Parishad is currently running schools at Shore Point, Ferrargunj and Port Mout, while plans are in the pipeline for schools at Manglutan-Guptapara Junction and Calicut. He said land has already been allotted for some of the proposed institutions but funding remains a major constraint.
He said proposals have also been submitted under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram for development of educational infrastructure, including additional classrooms, playground facilities, a mini stadium and conference hall. He further announced that new computer laboratories would be inaugurated at Shore Point and Ferrargunj on August 22, with 10 computers being provided at Shore Point and eight at Ferrargunj.
Mr. Adhikari said efforts were also being made to expand smart classroom facilities in Zilla Parishad schools. He stressed that improving the quality of education in rural areas should remain a priority and said additional funds were required not only for new projects but also for maintenance and renovation of existing Zilla Parishad assets, including schools, roads, halls and other public infrastructure.
He also raised concerns over healthcare and public transport facilities in the Manglutan area. While thanking the administration for undertaking major renovation work at the Manglutan Primary Health Centre, he said the centre has been facing a shortage of laboratory technician services for around one and a half months. He said elderly patients are particularly affected when they travel to the centre and find that the technician is unavailable.
Mr. Adhikari further pointed to inadequate bus connectivity to the Manglutan PHC and surrounding areas. He said residents, particularly elderly patients, are sometimes forced to hire private vehicles or autos at considerable expense because regular bus services are not adequately available up to the health centre. He urged the Health Department to post a laboratory technician at the PHC on a regular basis and called upon the Transport Department to restore and improve bus connectivity in the area.
He also welcomed recent tourism-related initiatives in Wandoor, including the commencement of water-based recreational activities and boating facilities. According to him, such initiatives could create employment opportunities for local youth while strengthening the tourism potential of South Andaman.
Mr. Adhikari said South Andaman has considerable potential in water resources, tourism, education, healthcare and infrastructure, but sustained planning and coordination between the administration and elected representatives would be essential to convert that potential into long-term development.
Concluding the press conference, he thanked the administration, APWD, the water supply authorities and other departments for taking up several long-pending issues and expressed hope that the proposed water projects, road works, educational initiatives and tourism projects would be completed in a timely manner for the benefit of residents of South Andaman.
