Rabindranath Biswas
Kamorta ,Sept. 27: Vehicle ferry service in Kamorta, Champin, Hitui and Munak Islands was severely disrupted owing to malfunctioning of two vehicle ferry boats ferrying in the island.
According to information, the situation is extremely grim in Kamorta, Champin, Hitui and Munak as the motor vessel the is the sole commuting means in these islands and the service provided by it was disrupted owing to malfunctioning of vehicle ferry boats MV Galathia as well as MV Barren.
According to sources, the residents of these islands demanded that these ferry boats should be decommissioned as they have reached decrepit condition while the MV Galathia developed holes beneath, they claimed. And the administration stopped the service of MV Galathia and placed only MV Barren in service. And now since the Barren has also developed a major snag, the residents especially school going children of the islands such as Champin, Hitui and Munak are suffering a lot, they rued.
The situation is unspeakable as the exams in schools are going on while the students couldn’t reportedly attend schools and write the exams yesterday, they further alleged. Though the ferry boat MV Barren was repaired and placed in service, the residents of these islands reportedly can’t rely on the boat and its service as it may breakdown at any moment, they said. In absence of the boat service, residents of these islands reportedly used small dinghies, however, it was highly risky and perilous in the inclement weather and/or rough sea conditions to sail in the tiny dinghies, they said.
They reportedly transmitted a message/signal to the Chief Secretary, Director of Shipping Services and the Member of Parliament as well and apprised them of all the grievous situation they were confronting. However, the higher authorities assured that they would take up the matter on priority. The residents of Kamorta and other islands were reportedly waiting for the redressal; and they said that new boat should have been placed in service but the defunct MV Barren hasn’t been replaced by a new one yet, they lamented.
And the residents now don’t know the reason why the matter is not taken seriously while it is much concerning, the decried. It is a serious issue and the administration should immediately resolve it as ferry boat service is life-line in this group of islands, and without it patients and students are put in grievous situation, they rued.
The denizens of these islands further said that the DSS carried out a mending on the MV Barren but it doesn’t guarantee how many days it will sail and then they will have to face the wrath of the situation again in the event of it going kaput, they warned. They would further talk to the administration so as to resume the service with a new boat so that they face no such difficulties in future. However, if their demand isn’t met, the Tribal Council along with students and the general public would mount a peaceful agitation in front of the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, they further warned.

 

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.