Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 1: The condition of the National Highway-4, shortage of doctors, prolonged power problems, accommodation for PRI representatives, education infrastructure and tourism development were among several major issues concerning North and Middle Andaman raised before Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr. Dinesh Sharma by Mr. R. Alager Swami, Adhyaksh of the North and Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad, during his recent meeting with the Lt. Governor.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily about the meeting, Mr. Alager Swami said he was encouraged by the response of the new Lt. Governor and felt that the administration was now showing a strong willingness to address long-pending issues affecting the northern region. He said the meeting was a courtesy call during which he placed before the Lt. Governor a number of pressing concerns of North and Middle Andaman.
According to Mr. Alager Swami, the poor condition of the National Highway-4 from Baratang to Diglipur was the first major issue he raised. He said that work on the highway has been continuing for around nine years, but the road has still not been completed and handed over by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). He pointed out that people travelling between North and Middle Andaman and Sri Vijaya Puram continue to face considerable difficulties because of the condition of the road.
Mr. Alager Swami said the Lt. Governor took the matter seriously and reportedly indicated that action, against the contractor, would be considered. He added that Dr. Sharma also expressed his intention to visit North and Middle Andaman shortly and personally inspect the condition of the highway.
Health-related problems in North and Middle Andaman were also discussed during the meeting. Mr. Alager Swami said several areas are facing a shortage of doctors and other medical-related difficulties. He said the Lt. Governor assured him that the health sector concerns of the region would also receive attention.
Another major issue raised was the continuing power crisis, particularly in the Rangat-Baratang region. Mr. Alager Swami said that several areas had been experiencing prolonged periods without electricity, creating serious difficulties for residents. He claimed that the Lt. Governor assured him that the ongoing electricity-related works would be expedited and efforts would be made to resolve the problem at the earliest.
Mr. Alager Swami also revived an earlier demand concerning the construction of a Zilla Parishad residence in Sri Vijaya Puram for PRI representatives and residents of North and Middle Andaman who travel to the capital for medical treatment, official work and other administrative purposes. He said that during the tenure of former Lt. Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi, the matter had been taken up and documents concerning allotment of land had also been initiated, but the proposal has not yet materialised.
He said a dedicated Zilla Parishad residence would provide considerable relief to PRI representatives who currently have to depend on private lodges during their visits to Sri Vijaya Puram. Mr. Alager Swami pointed out that North and Middle Andaman has 17 Zilla Parishad members, 37 Pradhans, 37 Panchayat Samiti members and more than 350 other PRI representatives, besides residents who regularly travel to the capital for various purposes.
Education was another important issue discussed during the meeting. Mr. Alager Swami said four VKV schools functioning under the Zilla Parishad are located at Kadamtala, Basantipur, Pahalgaon and Diglipur. While the Diglipur school provides education up to Class XII, the other three schools currently function only up to Class X. He requested that the schools at Kadamtala, Basantipur and Pahalgaon be upgraded to the higher secondary level.
He also highlighted the comparatively low salaries of teachers working in these institutions and sought an increase in earmarked funds for the education sector so that teacher remuneration could be improved and school infrastructure strengthened.
Mr. Alager Swami further raised the issue of the playground at Baratang. He said the land for the playground had been allotted in 1995, but the development work has remained pending for a long period. He stressed that children in the region have considerable sporting talent but lack adequate facilities and a proper playground.
The Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh also spoke about the upcoming District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting, which is proposed to be held on October 26, 27 and 28. He said several development plans from the Panchayat Samitis would be placed before the DPC and that the meeting would help accelerate development activities in North and Middle Andaman.
Tourism development also featured prominently in the discussions. Mr. Alager Swami said the Lt. Governor had indicated that tourism would be one of the major areas of focus during his proposed visit to North and Middle Andaman. He said destinations such as the Limestone Caves in Baratang, Ross and Smith Islands in Diglipur and Long Island have significant tourism potential.
Highlighting the importance of tourism to the local economy, Mr. Alager Swami said many young people in North and Middle Andaman are now finding livelihood opportunities through the tourism sector. He cited Baratang as an example, saying that nearly 200 fibre boats are involved in tourism activities there, with around three people working on each boat. According to him, the livelihood of several families is consequently dependent on these tourism-related activities.
He also raised the long-pending proposal for construction of a tourism guest house in the region. Mr. Alager Swami said land had reportedly been allotted by the Tourism Department around 15 years ago for construction of a guest house having around 15 to 20 rooms, but the facility has still not been constructed.
He said the construction of the proposed guest house could provide accommodation for tourists and contribute to the local economy by encouraging longer stays and increasing tourism-related business opportunities.
Mr. Alager Swami said he was hopeful that the issues placed before the Lt. Governor would receive due attention and that his proposed visit to North and Middle Andaman would provide an opportunity for an on-ground assessment of the region’s long-pending developmental concerns.
