Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray today addressed the media, providing an extensive overview of ongoing and planned development initiatives across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, covering sectors including land reforms, infrastructure, shipping, road networks, agriculture, employment, education, health, and power.
Ray began by addressing the persistent road restoration issues across the islands, assuring that the Union Home Minister and Chief Secretary are closely monitoring the situation. He highlighted that proposals under the Central Road Fund have already released ₹50 crore for 90 road works, including municipal and APWD roads, while an additional ₹113 crore proposal for 40 APWD roads in North and Middle Andaman is under consideration. Each Municipal Ward and Gram Panchayat has received around ₹1 crore for local road improvements, with ₹6 crore allocated for tribal areas. Under PMGSY-III, 32 projects worth ₹233 crore covering 200 km of rural roads have been sanctioned, with work already underway in Car Nicobar. PMGSY-IV surveys are ongoing, with eligibility criteria initially set for villages with a minimum population of 250 and 5-meter road width. Based on MP’s suggestions, consideration is being given to relax this criterion to include villages with populations as low as 100.
Ray also detailed long-standing funding issues, noting that of the ₹100 crore Special Fund Assistance (SFA) announced in 2018, only ₹50 crore had been utilized. On his recommendation, the Administration submitted a revised proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to access the remaining amount for rural road upgrades. National Highway projects that had faced delays are now back on track with fixed timelines, under direct monitoring by the MP.
Addressing shipping and port development, Ray stated that 40 jetties across the islands were in poor condition due to six years of neglect. Earlier, maintenance responsibilities assigned to APWD had failed due to a lack of technical manpower. Following presentation of evidence by the MP, all maintenance and construction works were handed back to the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) by the Shipping Ministry. Inspections by the central shipping team identified 14 jetties requiring complete reconstruction at an estimated cost of ₹670 crore, 18 needing major repairs at ₹47.21 crore, and nine requiring minor repairs at ₹15.95 crore. The central government will fund reconstruction and major repairs, while minor repairs will be supported by the UT Administration. A major dredging and protection wall project worth ₹47 crore has also been sanctioned at Mus Jetty to protect tribal land, with the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 20, 2025.
MP Ray further announced the construction of four new passenger-cum-cargo vessels, each with a capacity of 500 passengers and 150 tons, similar to MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu, with an estimated cost of ₹1000–₹1200 crore, for which MHA approval has been sought. Smaller vessels with 250–300 passenger capacity are also being arranged on a charter basis to enhance inter-island and foreshore connectivity. These steps are aimed at improving travel comfort and inter-island accessibility.
Stone quarry operations have resumed after a six-year hiatus in North & Middle Andaman and Little Andaman. The Administration is allotting quarries to PRIs, APWD, and private contractors for infrastructure works, including extraction in approved forest areas such as Tagore Quarry, Loraji Quarry at Baratang, and Morris Dera, ensuring local availability of construction materials and reducing costs.
In the land sector, the MP reported that land conversion, previously halted since 2019, was restarted in July 2025 following interventions from the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and UT Administration. The process of land registration, conversion, diversion, and mutation has been simplified based on the MP’s February 14, 2025 recommendations. Certificates such as No Dues, Non-Encumbrance, and Valuation from Tehsildar, Banks, or Agriculture Department are no longer required. Roles of Revenue Inspectors, Patwaris, Banks, and Agriculture Officers have been removed, ending the British-era system and making the process more transparent. Revenue camps have been held across districts to settle land disputes on the spot, saving citizens time and resources.
Ray highlighted issues with the outdated circle rate system that had caused irregularities and corruption, including the Cooperative Bank scam. Following his recommendations, the system is under review, and the Administration has initiated consultations for introducing a revised rate structure under Section 45 of the Land Revenue Rules.
On employment, the MP has demanded 100% job reservation for islanders, similar to the Ladakh model, and the MHA has requested a detailed report from the Administration, which is in progress. The age limit for government jobs has been revised to 33 years for men and 38 years for women, expanding opportunities for local youth. He also requested inclusion of communities such as Ranchi, Old Kerala Group, Telugu, Fishermen, Sri Lankan repatriates, and Tamil settlers in the OBC list, and the Administration has initiated the process for constituting an OBC Commission to conduct surveys and recommend inclusion based on population ratios.
In the health sector, specialist doctors from mainland super-specialty hospitals will visit the islands on rotation. Referral patients will be transported by air instead of ship, with free helicopter or boat tickets provided, while stretcher and ambulance charges will be borne by the government. The MP has also proposed Ayushman Bharat tie-ups with local private hospitals, including Apollo, Ritika, Health 4U, Pillar, Arun Hospital, and Dr. Bharadwaj Clinic.
In education, nearly 50% of posts for Principals, Vice Principals, Headmasters, and teachers have been lying vacant for years. With the MP’s intervention, new Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) schools will be opened at Manglutan, Calicut, Old Pahargaon, Baratang, Kishorinagar, Car Nicobar, and Campbell Bay. Lands have been allotted, and construction of prefabricated classrooms will be funded under MPLADS, following the successful Shore Point model.
PRI-related issues are also being addressed, with all Utilization Certificates submitted and none pending. A new Grant-in-Aid policy is being drafted in consultation with PRI members and the MP to improve functioning, with clarification issued that such works do not require MHA approval.
Regarding power, the MP raised the ongoing crisis with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Power Minister. New DG sets are being installed, including 10 MW at Chatham Power House (by November 27, 2025), 15 MW at Phoenix Bay Power House (tender finalizing), and 5 MW at Bambooflat Power House to improve rural supply in Ferrargunj.
The MP also requested a ₹5000 crore special package from the Finance Minister on August 7, 2025, to address capital fund shortages. The Administration is preparing detailed justification for MHA review.
In minority welfare, a ₹265 crore proposal has been sent to the Ministry for infrastructure development, including schools, playgrounds, health facilities, hospital repairs, and VKV schools in blocks such as Ferrargunj, Rangat, Mayabunder, Car Nicobar, and Nancowry. The Louki Nallah bridge at Swadesh Nagar has been cleared for construction with an estimated cost of ₹6.02 crore, and other bridge proposals in North and Middle Andaman have been submitted for MHA approval.
Through this comprehensive briefing, MP Bishnu Pada Ray outlined the government’s multi-sectoral initiatives designed to strengthen infrastructure, enhance public services, generate employment, and improve overall quality of life in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
