The Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) has announced a strike at Rangat Bazaar on November 1, 2025, in protest against the deteriorating condition of National Highway-4 (NH-4) and what it calls the administration’s persistent inaction in addressing citizens’ grievances. The protest is expected to draw attention to the long-pending issue of road maintenance and accountability of the agencies responsible for the highway’s upkeep.
Addressing the media, TSG Bhasker, Chairman of ANTCC’s Campaign Committee, criticised the authorities for the poor state of NH-4, despite the allocation of substantial funds for its development. He said that ₹330 crore had been sanctioned to the National Highways Authority for the road’s repair and expansion, yet commuters continue to face immense hardship. The 330-km stretch connects South Andaman with Middle and North Andaman and serves as a crucial lifeline for the islands’ transport and trade. However, frequent breakdowns, potholes, and muddy surfaces have made travel both difficult and dangerous.
Bhasker questioned the purpose of such a major investment when the outcome, he claimed, has been “unusable roads.” He said the highway remains far from completion despite years of work and continuous promises. Comparing the present scenario with earlier years, he remarked that the road—then known as the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), was in better condition when it was managed by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD). After its transfer to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), he alleged, both the quality of work and the pace of progress have declined sharply.
Linking the road’s condition to broader governance issues, Bhasker referred to recent corruption allegations involving NHIDCL, including the arrest of its Executive Director earlier in October 2025. He claimed that this case was directly connected to the ongoing NH-4 project and raised doubts about transparency in its implementation. He also questioned the role of elected representatives, saying that assurances made by the local Member of Parliament regarding NH-4 and bridge construction projects have not translated into tangible outcomes.
Bhasker further warned that the prolonged neglect of infrastructure development is crippling the economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He said poor connectivity has severely impacted trade, tourism, and the movement of goods and services across the islands. The situation, he said, has undermined the credibility of local institutions like the APWD, which he believes could have executed the project more effectively. He also rejected the administration’s justification that heavy rainfall was responsible for road damage, citing Cherrapunji, known for extreme rainfall, as an example of how infrastructure can withstand adverse weather if built properly.
Calling for collective action, Bhasker urged the residents of Rangat and nearby areas to join the November 1 strike to demand accountability and timely completion of NH-4. He said the demonstration aims to highlight citizens’ frustration and compel authorities to act responsibly.
At the same press briefing, Tamilselvan expressed concern over the weakening of local governance institutions, particularly the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC). He said that these bodies have been rendered ineffective due to lack of funds and decision-making powers. Tamilselvan pointed out that for nearly a year and a half, PBMC has been functioning without adequate financial support, leaving 24 councillors unable to carry out even basic developmental works such as road repairs and drainage maintenance.
He added that major administrative decisions are now taken exclusively by bureaucrats, sidelining local representatives and eroding public trust. According to him, such administrative centralisation not only weakens democratic institutions but also distances governance from ground realities.
Both leaders concluded by emphasising that the combined effect of infrastructure decay and administrative neglect is stalling the islands’ progress. They called on the administration to restore accountability, empower local institutions, and prioritise the well-being of the people through transparent and timely governance. The planned strike, they said, will be a peaceful demonstration aimed at demanding these long-overdue changes.
