Saurabh Adhikari & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 22: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, today addressed a press conference and highlighted a range of pressing issues that were brought to light. From infrastructure delays and challenges in agricultural supply to a growing drug menace affecting the youth, Mr. Ray expressed deep concerns about the administration’s performance and the future of the islands.
One of the key issues highlighted by MP was the delay in completing the National Highway projects and the construction of Middle Strait bridge in the region. MP Mr. Ray highlighted that despite multiple assurances from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the projects have faced continuous delays. He mentioned that letters and official statements from the ministry have provided specific timelines, but these deadlines have repeatedly been pushed back.
Mr. Ray cited a letter from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which promised that the work of National Highway-4 (Baratang to Ram Nagar) will be completed by November 25, 2025. According to the Member of Parliament the Minister of Road Transport and Highways has also assured to complete Middle Strait (Baratang) Bridge by February 26, 2026.
Another significant point raised was the shortage of essential agricultural inputs, specifically DAP and urea. MP Mr. Ray revealed that he had written to Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, in August to address the shortage. However, by the end of September, the islands had still not received the required supplies, leaving local farmers in distress.
The MP expressed frustration at the administrative processes and blamed local bureaucracy for the delay. He warned that the prolonged shortage of fertilizers could severely affect the farming community, potentially impacting food production in the islands.
The healthcare system in the Andaman Islands was another focal point of Mr. Ray’s address. He mentioned his recent visit to several hospitals, including those in Mayabunder and Baratang, where he observed a lack of essential medical equipment and services. Pregnant women, he noted, were particularly vulnerable due to the unavailability of crucial testing machines, and the general population was suffering from a lack of proper medical care in rural health centers.
In addition to the inadequate facilities, Mr. Ray criticized the administration for not hiring enough medical professionals to manage the existing healthcare infrastructure. He called the situation “dangerous” and implored the local government to make immediate improvements. He warned that if these healthcare issues were not resolved, they would continue to endanger the lives of residents in the more remote parts of the Andaman Islands.
One of the most alarming topics discussed during the press conference was the growing drug problem in the region. MP Mr. Ray expressed deep concern about the rising drug abuse among the youth, blaming both local law enforcement and the administration for not addressing the issue adequately. According to him, a significant drug racket is operating in the islands, with narcotics being smuggled into the region from mainland India and other countries.
Mr. Ray accused the police of being complicit in allowing the drug trade to flourish, claiming that several cases had been mishandled or not investigated properly. In his words, “The future of our youth is at stake, and the authorities must take immediate action to protect them from falling into this trap.”
Attacking the Lt. Governor in several fronts, the Member of Parliament accused the Lt. Governor for not meeting the General Public and requested him to leave the post.
Regarding Deemed University the Member of Parliament warned the Administration not to start Deemed University in these islands.

Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, Sept. 20: Staggered spells of power cuts have affected the normal life of people in Diglipur subdivision.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Shri Dipankar Mistry, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Diglipur said that frequent power cuts have become the order of the day with the dwellers compelled to bear the brunt of its scourge. The harried people have begun to resent the worst ever erratic power supply in Diglipur. With such intermittent power cuts, it has become very difficult for people to work in offices and homes, the Pramukh said. Kalpong dam is used to generate electricity and despite there being enough water in the dam, the Electricity Department has to make frequent power cuts and which is beyond comprehension, the Pramukh said. This is a very worrying issue because in a few days there are going to be exams in the schools, especially the half yearly exams, Mr. Mistry decried. If this continues, the school students preparing for the half yearly exams will have to face the wrath of the situation, he warned.
Furthermore, the people of Diglipur celebrate some festival or the other every month and the most important of which is Durga Puja, which is going to be organized in a few days. People of Diglipur on the other hand, will have to face difficulties in preparing for the festivals and Puja, if the present situation prevails during the festivals, the Pramukh said.
After the retirement of the Executive Engineer, the appointment to the post of Executive Engineer in the Electricity Department, Sitanagar, Diglipur was not filled by the Administration. As such, the Dept. is facing difficulties in functioning smoothly, while the subordinate staff are not in a condition to take appropriate decisions and which is further hampering the normal works in the Dept. the Pramakh claimed. Apart from the post of EE being void, there is no regular Assistant Engineer at Electricity Department, Sitanagar, Diglipur which is hampering people’s elementary works like applying for new electric connection, meter shifting, disconnection etc.
Pramukh has written a letter to the Secretary Power, A & N Administration and apprised the authority of the present situation of the Electricity Department, Sitanagar, Diglipur. He also requested the Power Secretary to take immediate action and come up with a more pragmatic solution in this regard thereby improving the power supply and also posting EE and AE of regular nature in their respective incumbencies, the Pramukh further said.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 20: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, today rededicated the service of MV Shompen as Hospital Ship during a function organized by the Directorate of Shipping Services, A& N Administration at Phoenix Bay Jetty, Sri Vijaya Puram here this morning. The Secretary, Shipping, Ms Purva Garg, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Director, ANIIMS, Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director, Health Services, Dr. Suja Antony, Director, Shipping, Capt. Atul Kumar Singh and other senior officials from Directorate of Shipping Services, Health Services were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary lauded the Secretary and Director of Shipping Services for initiating this commendable step, through meticulous planning, methodical preparation and perseverance. He also encouraged the crew and staff of MV Shompen and appreciated the Health Department for supporting this vision by deploying two doctors for the ship. He expressed confident that this ship will be able to go to the areas where it is very difficult for the patients to come.
The Chief Secretary concluded his address by congratulating the crew members, the entire team of Shipping services and all those who made it possible to see this day and bestowed his best wishes to doctors.
In his welcome address, the Director, Shipping said, the vessel has the capacity to carry 16 patients who are not on stretchers, and 4 patients who are on stretcher. In addition, with the cooperation of DHS, ANIIMS staff, the crew will support the medical teams during the trips to conduct medical camps in different parts of the Island. He said, arrangements have also been made for doctors to be on board, along with essential hospital equipment. In the coming months, DSS aim to establish a small operation theatre on this vessel. He further informed that Medical camps will be held at various remote locations, and DSS will begin this effort with a mission to Strait Island this coming Monday.

Rabindranath Biswas
Rabindra Nagar/Diglipur, Sept. 19: The residents of Rabindra Nagar under Gram Panchayat Rabindra Nagar, Little Andaman have decried failure of authorities to undertake repairs of a dilapidated rural road in the locality.
According to information, the Rural Road from Masjid Chowk to Vishnu Nallah at Rabindra Nagar under Gram Panchayat Rabindra Nagar, Little Andaman, has deteriorated significantly, causing immense hardship for residents and vehicle owners alike. The residents of the area said that several patches of the road are lying dangerously strewn with potholes and are becoming awfully unsafe for the residents and motorists for the last 9-10 years.
Andaman Sheekha Daily when contacted the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Rabindra Nagar and wanted to know more about road in question, she admitted that parts of the road especially in Vishnu Nallah area are in rundown condition and it has become a source of inconveniences for pregnant women, children, students and elderly and also for the motorists. The road is under APWD and requires to be repaired in PMSY-3, she further informed.
Amid this, the denizens of the locality have made an urgent appeal to the authorities for swift action. They request immediate intervention and necessary directions for repairing and upgrading the road to ensure smooth traffic flow as life is precious.