TSri Vijaya Puram, October 26: The Andaman and Nicobar administration has directed the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to accelerate key water infrastructure projects, prepare a Detailed Project Report for the Guptapara Dam and strengthen quality and transparency in road construction, placing long-term water security and timely execution at the centre of its priorities.
Addressing the department’s 69th Foundation Day in Sri Vijaya Puram on October 25, Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma called for time-bound implementation of projects, with particular attention to water storage, rainwater harvesting and the improvement of roads and bridges across the islands.
The directions include advancing the Guptapara Nallah, Burma Nallah and Rutland Phase-II water projects. Sharma asked officials to prepare the DPR for the Guptapara Dam and make an additional six million litres per day (MLD) of water available through Rutland Phase-II. He also called for greater attention to rainwater harvesting and storage to strengthen water availability.
The department has reported an additional water supply capacity of around 10.832 MLD through initiatives involving Rutland Phase-I, Joda Nallah Weir, Triple Pond, ponds in the TRS Quarry area and borewells. Road works completed include approximately 10 km of rural road connecting Gandhi Nagar and Paschim Sagar in Diglipur and improvements to around 20 km of roads in various areas.
Sharma directed officials to monitor work on the rejuvenation of water sources, ponds, borewells, filter beds, storage structures and pipeline networks in Sri Vijaya Puram, Ferrargunj, Rangat and Mayabunder. He also called for the adoption of new road-construction technologies while maintaining prescribed quality standards and transparency.
The department’s foundation-day theme, “Save Water, Save Life,” was linked to the need for infrastructure that improves public access to essential services. Sharma said development should make life safer and easier for residents, rather than focus solely on construction.
He identified water security, road and bridge connectivity, accountability and environmentally balanced development as continuing priorities for APWD, particularly given the islands’ geographical challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed the department to ensure timely promotions for engineers, dispose of unnecessarily pending disciplinary proceedings and fill vacant posts through deputation.
The programme was attended by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray, APWD Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Shinde, the South Andaman Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the Chief Engineer and other officials.
Sharma said each project should serve the public interest, placing responsibility on the department to deliver works within stipulated timelines and maintain quality and transparency.
