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.

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.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 19: Master jaishish, a resident of school line, s/o venkat lav kumar and purnima mohan, trained Muaythai under N jagadeka varma at Champions zone muaythai and MMA club, he has shown exceptional skills in Muaythai and secured gold in Muaythai National held in Chennai (2023) , and Assam(2024). He was selected to represent India in the IFMA youth world championship which was held at Bangkok, Thailand. Master Jaishish took part in -44 kgs category under 10 to 11 Age, he has shown exceptional skills and secured a bronze medal for team India. He is the first islander to take part in Muaythai World championships and to secure a medal.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 18: Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency chaired a presentation along with Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration and other Senior Officers of Andaman & Nicobar Administration at Raj Niwas today to review redevelopment project of Swaraj Dweep harbour area with conceptual inputs from Senior Architects of Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
MoU is being signed between Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Andaman & Nicobar Administration for providing architectural and design support for various projects in A&N Islands.

 

Rabindranath Biswas
Harinagar/Diglipur, Sept. 16: Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners in Billiground and other areas under Gram Panchayat Harinagar are facing severe difficulties owing to nonavailability of fuel at Petrol Outlets in the areas.
According to information, a large number of Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners belonging to Auto Associations in Billiground and the general public of Gram Panchayat Harinagar gathered at Gram Panchayat Harinagar with the aim to hold an agitation due to non-availability of petrol and diesel at pvt. Out Let under Harinagar Gram Panchayat yesterday, Shri Manojit Halder, Pradhan, GP, Harinagar said.

There is no petrol pump/Retail Out Let of any Oil Company in the locality and the Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners buy the fuel from pvt. Out Lets run by local fuel pump operators/persons with relevant licenses. However, these local fuel pump operators/fuel vendors applied for the renewal of their licenses which haven’t been renewed by the competent authority as yet, and the reasons are best known to the concerned Officials. The pvt. Outlet operators who have been operating their fuel pumps for the last 20 years have reportedly ceased to stock and sell the fuel lest they should face legal proceedings in the event of not being able to produce renewed license if they are charged/asked by the concerned Officials/Police, the Pradhan informed.

As a result of which, it triggered a huge crisis of fuel in the region all of a sudden forcing/pushing the Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners on the verge of mounting a protest, the Pradhan said. However, the Pradhan along with other PRI Members intervened in the matter and tried his best to pacify the irate Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners with assurances of resolving the crisis.

The Pradhan then led a delegation of PRI Members comprising of Shri Dilip Kumar Das, PSM, Harinagar, Shri Shankar Mondal, ZPM and others and met Shri Ashish Joon, Assistant Commissioner, (HQ), Mayabunder and apprised him of the crisis created owing to non-availability of fuel in the region. The AC reportedly assured the Pradhan and other PRI Members that he would see that Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners don’t face problems owing to this present fuel crisis. The Pradhan reportedly reposed full faith on the AC on the matter and was hopeful that the fuel crisis would be resolved, the Pradhan said.
Amid all this, the Pradhan further disclosed that at present there is no Retail Out Let of IOCL in the locality and hence the motorists and Auto-rickshaw drivers and owners are facing severe inconveniences. However, IOCL has reportedly already sanctioned a Retail Out Let in the locality to sell petrol and diesel about one and half years ago and the oil giant is ready to set up a Retail Out Let but the Revenue Officials have reportedly shown no initiatives towards setting apart the desired land for Retail OutLet, the Pradhan alleged.

Mr. Halder also met the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration and urged him to impress upon the concerned Officials on the matter so that IOCL may set up a Retail Out Let in the region to do away with the prolonged fuel crisis in the region.

The CS, reportedly showing positive gesture on the matter had ordered the concerned Officials to do the needful in the matter so as to facilitate IOCL for setting up a Retail Out Let, but despite that it yielded no fruitful result yet, the Pradhan maintained.

 

Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 15: A serious accident occurred in Dollygunj today when a man, identified as Mr. Amrit Mani, fell from the second floor of an under-construction building. The victim fell onto a standing iron rod, which penetrated through his stomach and back. The incident took place near Hotel Sahara Residency, and immediate action was taken to rescue the injured person.
The Garacharma Fire Station received the distress call and dispatched a team to the scene, along with the Aberdeen Rescue Tender. Fire personnel had to carefully cut the rod before the victim could be safely transported to nearby Hospital by ambulance.
As per public, the prompt response of the fire services helped secure the injured man for immediate medical attention. His condition remains critical. Further updates are awaited.

Port Blair, Sept 13: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that Andaman and Nicobar Island’s capital Port Blair has been renamed as “Sri Vijaya Puram.”

“Inspired by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as “Sri Vijaya Puram. While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the A&N Islands’ unique role in the same,” the minister posted on X.

“Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations,” he added.

“It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation,” Shah added.

Sri Vijaya Puram is the capital city of the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

Port Blair, Sept 12: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament, A & N Islands along with Mr. Sanjay Balan, Retd. Official, A & N Administration, yesterday visited Swaraj Dweep following numerous complaints regarding removal of old encroachments without following due process of law.
Further the local residents also alleged of excesses being committed on the entrepreneurs / businessmen/ traders of the islands and also upon the farmers by local officials.
The MP also visited the areas from where old encroachment of fruiting arecanut plantation was cut down insensitively in the name of encroachment eviction drive.
Later he also met the farmers and extended families of settlers who were allegedly not being allowed to construct own small houses in their own land.
He also happened to meet entrepreneurs/ hotel owners who complained about spokes being put in their decade’s old businesses without any valid reasoning. This needs to be reminded that these business people are contributing for country’s growth by paying GST and other relevant taxes in tune of multi crores. And they are being troubled?
Mr. Ray advised the Assistant Commissioner and others to serve the people with spirit of compassion and understand the local dynamics which will enable them in making reasoned and articulated decisions. He requested the officers present not to take law into their own hands but act in accordance with law wherever necessary. The MP opined that if a single hotel in Swaraj Dweep is paying 14 crore as GST, with a little bit of easing the bottlenecks, the government can expect 1500 cr to 2000 cr GST from Swaraj Dweep Island itself. This will also enable creation of more jobs / more business opportunities etc for the local populace too, he said.
“The endeavor of the Administration should therefore be to lay down conducive atmosphere for the islanders / farmers and the Businessmen alike for enabling holistic development and to achieve the dreams of Modi govt”, he added.