Sri Vijaya Puram, July 3: A ₹100 crore proposal to revamp deteriorating roads across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is facing a critical delay, with the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) yet to submit the final cost estimates required by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), officials confirmed to The Wave Andaman.
The proposal, which falls under the Central Road Fund (CRF) scheme, was initiated following a commitment made by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways during his visit to the islands in late 2024. The Minister reaffirmed this assurance during a high-level meeting held at Raj Niwas on December 28, 2024, where the need for urgent road infrastructure upgrades was strongly emphasized.
While the Municipal Council has already taken proactive steps, submitting a detailed list of 49 roads across 24 municipal wards with an estimated repair cost of ₹23.08 crore, the broader Phase I rollout remains in limbo. This phase is contingent on APWD’s submission of the final engineering estimates and project reports.
“The delay in finalizing and submitting the estimates could result in the islands missing the current fiscal window under the CRF,” said a senior official involved in the project. As per CRF guidelines, all proposals from states and union territories must be accompanied by vetted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and finalized cost projections to qualify for central funding.
Residents across the archipelago have increasingly voiced their frustration over worsening road conditions. Many routes are riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces, with only temporary patchwork solutions in place. The onset of the monsoon season has further exacerbated the situation, making travel in several areas hazardous.
Rahul Dev, a resident of Diglipur, told The Wave Andaman, “The road condition of inter-island routes is horrible. Huge potholes get filled with water every time it rains. It becomes dangerous, especially at night. We’ve been waiting for proper repairs for years now.”
The Wave Andaman has also previously highlighted the poor condition of roads in Mithakhari, where stretches of broken tar and water-logged patches continue to pose daily risks to commuters.
Officials warn that unless the APWD expedites internal processes and submits the required documentation soon, the Union Territory may lose a valuable chance to unlock significant central funds for road infrastructure.
“This is a rare opportunity to access ₹100 crore in funding. We cannot let bureaucratic delays jeopardize progress,” said another official familiar with internal discussions.
If cleared, the proposal will facilitate crucial road strengthening works, particularly in areas that link remote villages, economic hubs, and service corridors. It is expected to improve inter-ward connectivity, reduce travel times, and support better logistics and public service delivery.
With mounting pressure from both civic representatives and the general public, the UT administration is reportedly urging the APWD to fast-track its internal approvals in the coming weeks.
The Wave Andaman has reached out to APWD officials for a comment, but no response was received at the time of publishing.
