Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 18: Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency on visit to New Delhi called on Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Hon’ble Minister of Power and extended invitation to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Hon’ble Lt. Governor requested for fast tracking issues related to Power sector in the Islands viz. developing power infrastructure in Great Nicobar Islands, setting up of 50 MW LNG Mega Power Plant Project under Clean Energy in Sri Vijaya Puram and resolution of HVDC Link project as the alternate/additional source of power to realize the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Vikramaditya
Mayabunder, October 18: Mr. Abdul Siddique, the former Pramukh of Mayabunder, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the local community to key officials of the NACD, APWD, Mayabunder, for their swift response in repairing a critical stretch of the district road.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily Mr. Siddique commended Mrs. Rajavalli, Executive Engineer; Mr. Abdul Mubeen, Assistant Engineer; Mrs. Kalairaasi, Assistant Engineer, Sub-division No. I; and Mr. Jagdish, Junior Engineer, for their timely intervention and effective action, which greatly improved the road conditions in Mayabunder.
Additionally, Mr. Siddique extended his sincere thanks to the Branch Manager of SBI Mayabunder for quickly addressing the operational issues of the SBI ATM in Lucknow, Mayabunder. The ATM, now functioning smoothly, has provided much-needed relief to the residents of the area.
The combined efforts of the APWD team and the SBI management have been greatly appreciated by the Mayabunder community, ensuring smoother transport and banking services in the region.

Rabindranath Biswas
Jirkatang, Oct 15: The Water ATM installed at Jirkatang Check-post under Gram Panchayat Ferrargunj under Shyama Prasad Mukherjee RURBAN Mission is reportedly lying dysfunctional.
As per report, the Water ATM installed at Jirkatang Check-post under Gram Panchayat Ferrargunj under Shyama Prasad Mukherjee RURBAN Mission inaugurated on 03/12/2020. This innovative public utility project was begun during the COVID-19 pandemic period by the Administration with much fanfare with officials asserting that passengers, tourists and motorists would then have access to pure, RO water at public places. Four years are going to elapse and the Water ATM is defunct. Commuters and tourists who pass by this water ATM say this kiosk is useless and simply occupies road space. Another person was heard saying, “If you are thirsty, don’t stop near the water ATM because it’s not going to dispense water,”. Passengers travelling on the South Andaman and N & M Andaman route, tourists and motorists are meant to have access to a glass of clean water from the Water ATM installed at Jirkatang Check Post but unfortunately it is lying defunct; and the concerned agency ought to be maintaining the public utility, said a group of passengers. “It has become a grey area since no one is taking care of maintenance” opined others.
Locals casually said the water ATM has fallen into disrepair, has damaged parts or developed other glitches, but they couldn’t say since when the Water ATM is exactly not functioning. Similar situations can be witnessed in various other villages and in Sri Vijaya Puram city area where dozens and dozens of such water ATMs were installed in the past, but hardly a few are functional.
The Andaman Sheekha Daily when posed questions to the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Ferrargunj and wanted to know more on the defunct water ATM, the Pradhan said that the issue of water ATMs came up in a recent meeting in which the Director, RD, PRIs & ULBs gave instructions to the concerned Executive Engineer, PRI to get the water ATMs repaired and made functional. He further said that the water ATM was installed during the COVID-19 pandemic period by an agency from Haryana and when the Panchayat was functional under the Special Officer and the Panchayat is now facing severe problems owing to paucity of funds. However, other sources said that the necessary estimate for the repair of the water ATM has been sent for approval.
Meanwhile, the Andaman Sheekha Daily made several attempts to establish contact with concerned officials and the higher authority in order to get further information/status of the defunct water ATM, but no official was available to make a comment on the matter.
In past various prominent citizens had demanded for CBI inquiry in this entire purchase process of water ATMs for Sri Vijaya Puram city and other villages but till now not even a departmental inquiry has been ordered by Administration.

Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 16: Ongoing reconstruction work on the busy road stretch from Aberdeen Bazaar to Corbyn’s Cove has become a major safety concern due to careless earth cutting and recent rainfall, resulting in dangerous conditions for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders. The combination of loose earth, rain-soaked surfaces, and poor maintenance has made the road slippery, leading to several freak accidents in the past two days.
According to reports, multiple bike riders have skidded and fallen on the road due to the dangerously slick conditions caused by mud accumulation. While no serious injuries have been reported yet, commuters are increasingly worried about the risks posed by the hazardous road conditions.
The roadwork, which is part of a larger reconstruction project, has been ongoing for several months. However, daily commuters have pointed out the lack of proper precautions to prevent loose earth from spilling onto the road, particularly during the monsoon season. The combination of construction debris and rainwater has created muddy surfaces that are treacherous for motorists. Two-wheeler riders, in particular, are struggling to navigate the slippery road, with several reporting minor accidents in the last 48 hours.
One local resident remarked, “The road has become too risky for anyone riding a bike. The mud from the ongoing construction and the rainwater make it feel like you’re riding on ice.” Many are urging the authorities to take swift action before a more serious accident occurs.
Commuters are urging the concerned authorities to ensure that earth-cutting work is managed more responsibly, with barriers to prevent the soil from spilling onto the road. Additionally, many are requesting that the road be kept clear of mud, especially during rainy weather, to avoid creating slippery surfaces that could lead to more severe accidents in the future.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 16: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament , A & N Islands, is currently on a visit to Middle & North Andaman under ‘MP Aapke Dwar’ initiative since last Friday (11th of October). His visit that started from Baratang passed through Uttara, Kadamtala, Rangat, Billiground, Tugapur, Mayabunder Mohanpur among other small villages enroute his travel. During these visits he met both the PRI members, farmers and General Public. The main issue that came to fore was the NH road Condition, demand for Fertilizers, Power crisis, Revenue matters among other issues.
In his last leg of the tour today (16th October,) he visited Kalighat and Diglipur and met the PRI members, BJP workers and General Public of the area.
During the interaction, at Diglipur the PRI members unanimously raised the demand for supply of chemical fertilizers to enhance and help the Agriculture activities. All people, particularly the Farmers told the MP that they are forced to purchase fertilizers at higher rates from the open market. Sometimes during shortage the farmers are forced to purchase fertilizers at a very high cost. This ultimately leads to the hike in the price of Vegetables. The farmers also pointed out that the organic approach of Farming is not giving out expected productivity. Hence for sustenance of Vegetable Production, the supply of DAP and Urea is very much needed, the farmers opined.
The PRI members of Diglipur during a meeting at APWD Guest House raised the issue regarding meager allotment of funds to PRI’s. Due to shortage of funds, the Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti members and Zilla Parishad members are unable to undertake any development works in their respective constituencies. The PRI members of Kalighat Panchayat too raised the issue of shortage of funds for development activities.
The people of North & Middle Andaman also raised various other issues including shortage of Doctors and staff at PHC’s, CHC’s, Sub-Centres and at Mayabunder District Hospital.
Mr. Ray assured the people of North & Middle Andaman that he will raise all their genuine issues at the appropriate forum including Central Government and A&N Administration for early resolution of the issues.

Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, Oct 13: The roads under PMGSY-II in different areas under Gram Panchayat Ramnagar, Diglipur Sub-Division are lying in extremely deteriorated state causing severe commuting woes to the residents and vehicles in the region.
According to information, almost all the roads under PMGSY-II in different areas under Gram Panchayat Ramnagar are lying in severe bad state. Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Mr. Mitun Das, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Ramnagar said that the condition of one of these roads has reportedly gone from bad to worse and it is unworthy even for the pedestrians, the Pradhadn decried.
On the other hand, another PMGSY-II road and which is stated to be the connecting road in the region has deteriorated to such an extent that the STS bus service and other essential services have been reportedly withdrawn from this route, the Pradhan informed. And as a result of which, the general public especially the students/senior citizens/disabled citizens are facing unspeakable hardships; they are compelled to walk for 7km daily for availing the bus service from the interior parts of the village, the Pradhan denounced.
The roads under PMGSY-II under GP Ramnagar are main village roads which were not properly maintained and repaired by any agency during the last 15 to 20 years and that’s why all these roads have reached this worst condition, the Pradhan claimed. Meanwhile, the Pradhan has written a letter addressed to Chief Engineer, Nirman Bhawan, APWD, Sri Vijaya Puram apprising him of the lamentable condition of the roads under PMGSY-II within the jurisdiction of GP Ramnagar.
Naming certain roads such as- AN03DGP06, AN03DGP10 and AN03DGP15, which were tendered and awarded to M/s REEF CONSTRUCTION, Govt. Contractor on 13th Sept. 2024, the Pradhan further urged the Chief Engineer to kindly direct the concerned agency to start all the PMGSY-II roads under GP Ramnagar in the coming dry season on priority for the welfare of the residents of the region.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 15: Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency participated in the India Mobile Congress 2024 inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today at New Delhi. During his intervention, Lt. Governor highlighted the need to expedite the ongoing Base Transmission Station (BTS) Project and 4G Saturation Project to provide last mile network connectivity even to the remotest corners. Further, to provide redundancy by connecting additional OFC from Puri (Odisha) to Diglipur was also emphasized. Potential of utilizing New Andamans as a non-polluting manufacturing hub of IT and Telecom manufacturing industries including assembling of mobile phones was also reiterated.