John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 27: The Hindu Rashtra Shakti (HRS) unit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands extended heartfelt gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor of the territory and the Chief Secretary of the Administration for considering their long-pending demands regarding the Ganga Sthal Ghat Project. The construction of the Ghat is set to commence on 1st August, a significant step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the island’s Hindu community.
Under the Smart City project, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with the Port Blair Municipal Council, has taken the initiative to develop the Ganga Sthal Ghat project. The project aims to create a dedicated space for religious activities, including bathing, Pooja, ‘shraad’ pooja, ‘mundan,’ and other rituals.
The Ghat will also offer essential facilities such as drinking water points and floodlights for nighttime convenience. A press meet was convened by the Hindu Rashtra Shakti ANI at the project site, located opposite the Hornbill Nest Resort, near ANIIMMS College Hostel on Carbyns Cove Road. The conference was led by Mr. RakeshwarLall, State President of HRS, accompanied by prominent members including SmtiMinati Biswas, State President of Mahila Morcha; Mr. Angshuman Roy, Youth President HRS; and Mrs. D. Radhika, State General Secretary of HRS (PBMC Ward No. 23) of the Hindu Rashtra Shakti Andaman Unit.
During the press conference, SmtiMinati Biswas, State President of Mahila Morcha, expressed her joy over the government’s sanctioning of the Ganga Sthal Ghat project, stating that it would serve as a blessing for the people of Andaman and Nicobar. The Administration has promised to complete the project by 2024, and it is expected to bolster tourism in the region.
Mr. Angshuman Roy, State General Secretary (Youth), shared the journey of their efforts, mentioning that three years ago, they had approached the Chief Secretary with their request for the Ganga Sthal Ghat. To their delight, the Chief Secretary promptly agreed and consulted with the Secretary of PBMC and the District Commissioner of South Andaman, assuring fast-track progress. Mr. Roy expressed gratitude to those who heard and understood their demands, leading to the project’s approval.
Mrs. D. Radhika revealed that the Asti Visarjan Ganga Ghat, another significant aspect of the project, is expected to be completed shortly. She described it as a gift from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to the Hindu community residing on the islands.
Mr. RakeshwarLall, the State President of HRS, highlighted that the project had been under consideration within the Smart City project for the past three years. He credited the collective efforts of the team, including SmtiMinati Biswas, Mr. Angshuman Roy, Mrs. D. Radhika, and Mr. N Venkata Ramana, Vice President of HRS, for this achievement. The discussions with the Chief Secretary revealed the need for a dedicated Ganga Ghat for last rituals (PindDand) since people had to travel to the mainland for such practices.
HRS informed that the construction tender has already been floated, and the project is expected to be completed within 8 months, concluding by March 2024. The project will be supervised by Shri Avinash Kumar Singh, Superintendent Engineer of PBMC, and under the overall observation of District Commissioner Vedita Reddy.

 

John Wilebrt & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 26: The residents of Badmaspahad area, situated under South Andaman District, have been enduring years of hardship and inconvenience due to the deplorable state of the roads in their locality. The internal roads from the main road to the residential area have become virtually impassable for all types of vehicles, leading to nightmarish experiences for school students and commuters.
While India is celebrating Amritkal, school-going children, travelling on a daily basis, have borne witness to the steady deterioration of the road conditions over the years. What once started as minor potholes has now escalated into larger, treacherous ones, severely hampering movement and making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate.
Adding to the woes, numerous minor accidents have been reported in the area over the past several years, directly attributed to the poor road conditions, informed residents of the area. The absence of proper maintenance and repairs has posed a serious threat to the safety and well-being of the residents and commuters alike.
During emergencies, the situation worsens, as the condition of the roads impedes the movement of ambulances, leaving residents in distress during critical situations. Frustration over the persistent road issue recently led some residents to attempt road closure, seeking attention to their plight. However, with the intervention of senior villagers, they opted instead to take matters into their own hands and began clearing waterlogged areas in an effort to improve the road temporarily.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Kamal, the ward member of Badmaspahad under Gram Panchayat Chouldary, informed that the road was constructed over two decades ago, but no repairs have been undertaken for more than ten years. The demand for immediate repairs has grown louder as private rickshaws and other vehicles struggle to navigate the roads amidst deteriorating conditions. The residents of Badmaspahad are now making an earnest appeal to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to prioritize the repair work of their roads. The villagers hope that someday some top officials will visit the village and maybe then some repair works will be carried out on the said road.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 25: Yesterday evening heavy rainfall, resulted in a landslide in the Prem Nagar area. The incident occurred when the footpath with a retaining wall opposite the Electricity site office collapsed due to the continuous downpour. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the area behind the retaining wall was vacant at the time of the incident.
Upon receiving information about the incident, Smti. Amar Devi, the councillor of ward number 07, was informed, and a complaint was duly registered with the Port Blair Municipal Council. Taking swift action, a team of PBMC staff, including Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer from the water section, arrived at the scene early this morning. In the presence of Smti. Amar Devi, they commenced immediate repair work on a temporary basis to address the damage caused by the landslide.
Mr. RK Raj, OBC Chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress, lauded the efforts of the PBMC staff and expressed gratitude for their prompt response in repairing the affected area on a temporary basis. The officers have assured that the area will be permanently repaired once the extent of the damage is thoroughly assessed. Initial evaluation reveals that around a 10-meter stretch of the footpath has suffered damages, and the entire footpath, along with the retaining wall, requires urgent maintenance.
Mr. RK Raj further emphasized the necessity for the Port Blair Municipal Council to take immediate action and repair the entire stretch of the footpath to prevent any potential hazards in the future.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 24: The decision to transfer notorious criminals to Andaman Jail has evoked deep apprehension among the Islanders, leading to expressions of concern over the region’s social fabric and national security. Hindu Rastra Shakthi, a prominent organization in Andaman and Nicobar, has been at the forefront of opposing this move and has raised compelling reasons for their reservations.

In a press conference held today, Mr. Angshuman Roy, State President of the Youth Wing, and Mr. Rajesh Kumar Mazumdar, State Vice President of the Youth Wing, representing Hindu Rastra Shakthi voiced their grave concerns over the recent decision to relocate notorious gangsters to the Island Jail. The organization has been the sole voice opposing the deportation of criminals to Andaman Jail and recently met with Mr. Devesh Chandra Srivastav, Director General of Police of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to express their serious apprehensions about the safety and security of the islands.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Mazumdar, during the press conference, highlighted several key points that illustrate the organization’s concerns. He emphasized that the islands have evolved into a closely-knit society over the years, with minor crimes being the norm and major crimes occurring infrequently. Introduction of notorious criminals could exacerbate existing issues, such as unemployment, drug abuse, and limited growth in the tourism industry.
The geographical location of the islands holds significant strategic importance in terms of national security, given their proximity to Southeast Asian countries. The security infrastructure must be reinforced to counter potential threats arising from increased international interactions and port activities.
Mr. Mazumdar further expressed concerns about the impact on the islands’ aboriginal tribes and the risk of organized crime syndicates establishing a presence, leading to an increase in criminal activities. He also raised apprehensions about the potential enticement of unemployed individuals and vulnerable youth into criminal activities, both locally and beyond the islands.
The organization fears that the thriving tourism industry could be adversely affected by vices such as gambling, flesh trade, and extortion, introduced by these criminals. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential infiltration of organized crime into vital sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and the smuggling of natural resources.
The Hindu Rastra Shakthi urged the Government of India and the Home Ministry to reconsider the decision and explore alternative locations for the relocation of these criminals, such as Kerala, West Bengal, or Tamil Nadu, in the Southern Group of India.
Mr. Angshuman Roy added that while they have full confidence in the Defense Force and Andaman Police, this decision could significantly impact the islands’ culture and peace. The organization vehemently opposes this move and has urged the Andaman administration and the Government of India to reconsider the implications of this decision on the region’s security and social fabric.

Port Blair, July 23: A heavy spell of rain accompanied by high wind yesterday wreaked minor havoc on the recently inaugurated new Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport. The inclement weather reportedly caused damages to the ceiling and roof sheet, sparking concerns among the public about the quality of work and management of the new infrastructure, which was funded by over 700 crore of taxpayers’ money.
As news of the damages spread, social media platforms were flooded with posts and messages questioning the standard of construction and the lack of proper supervision during the construction phase. Many netizens questioned whether this could be the reason why the Airport Authority of India had chosen not to invite local media for the inauguration ceremony of the new airport terminal, speculating that inferior works may have been concealed.
A reliable source from the Airport Authority of India, when contacted, provided some insights into the situation. According to an initial report, the damages were attributed to the carelessness of workers involved in finishing work of cable installation under the roof sheet.
He said that the design utilized a locking mechanism with “hook” type fixtures. Unfortunately, on the night of the incident, the worker responsible for locking the roof sheet with the “hook” failed to secure it properly after completing the cable work. As a result, the heavy winds caused the roof to open due to internal air pressure, leading to damages in the ceiling.
As per details, Airport officials have swiftly responded to the situation, and necessary repair works were carried out promptly on the morning after the incident.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya

Port Blair, July 21: Residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been facing a severe water scarcity every year from January to May, only to witness the issue being inadequately addressed, and often ignored, once the monsoon arrives. Thankfully this year the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration is still holding meetings on the water crisis issue and has also set a deadline to complete various projects related to water management. This is commendable that the CS is monitoring the situation himself to make sure that there is no such water crisis next year.
Now as Monsoon has arrived and the Dhanikhari Dam has sufficient water the residents of South Andaman are demanding water supply in atleast alternate days.

Andaman Sheekha team has learnt that the current water level at Dhanikhari Dam stands at 56 meters, with its maximum capacity reaching 66 meters. However, given this year’s water crisis, the authorities are cautious before making any decision to supply water every alternate day. The department is closely monitoring the situation, considering favorable rainfall predictions and consulting with experts before providing regular water supply once every two days.

When contacted officials from the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) emphasized that the safety and well-being of the residents are paramount, and decisions regarding water supply on alternate days will be taken after obtaining proper approvals from the administration and ensuring that it aligns with the expert recommendations.

 

Port Blair, July 20: The residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands may face an internet blackout for nearly 14 hours due to proposed shutdown of CANI Chennai – Port Blair link for the scheduled migration activities of newly laid alternate land cable, due to Construction of Underground Metro Station at Chennai. However, good news is that officials have confirmed with Andaman Sheekha Daily that the work may be completed much sooner than 14 hours.

As per an circular issued today by Department of Information Technology, A & N Administration due to construction of alternate land cable path for Chennai – Port Blair link of CANI-Submarine OF Cable due to the ongoing construction work of an underground metro station at the Chennai Mandaveli junction by CMRL (Chennai Metro Rail Limited), the Chennai-Port Blair Segment of CANI Submarine Cable will be affected.

The Circular added that the scheduled maintenance and temporary shutdown is planned during the night hours of 29th July 2023 (Saturday), starting from 20:00 hours, and will continue until 30th July 2023 (Sunday), 10:00 hours in the morning. The estimated downtime is approximately 14 hours. Due to the above activity, high speed internet may be affected.

Meanwhile talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily a senior officer of Department of Information Technology, A & N Administration today said that during this shutdown satellite link will be available but connections will be limited. He assured that the work will be completed much before 14 hours.

 

Trinath &Vikramaditya

Billiground, July 19: The deplorable state of the public toilet block at the Billiground Bazar Junction has left the villagers deeply disappointed.The lack of proper sanitation and cleanliness in the public toilet block has become a significant cause of concern for the general public, causing them immense inconvenience.

Public resentment stems from the fact that the toilet block is in such a dire state that it emits a foul smell, and the structural integrity of the footings is compromised. This puts individuals at risk of accidents or injury while using the facilities. The Doors of the toilet blocks are shaky and wash basins are being used as stand for toilet pots.

The deteriorating condition of the public toilet block not only compromises the hygiene and sanitation standards but also poses a threat to the safety and well-being of those who need to use it.

When contacted the Pradhan of Hari Nagar Panchayat, Mr. Manojit Halder told Andaman Sheekha that the toilet block was constructed 10 years back and the Panchayat is aware of the fact that there are several complaints about the upkeep of the toilet block. “Due to fund shortage we were unable to carry out repair work but now funds are available and the tendering process for repair of the Toilet block will be completed very soon,” the Pradhan assured.