The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has urged the Administration to reopen stone quarries in Little Andaman, citing severe disruption to development works caused by the non-availability of quarry products. State President Anil Kumar Tiwari raised the issue during his recent visit to the island, where he was approached by several organisations and individuals concerned about the complete halt in construction activities.
According to local representatives, the shortage of stone quarry products has persisted for several months, preventing both government and private sector projects from progressing. Panchayats and government agencies have funds available for developmental works, but without access to stone, projects ranging from road construction to public infrastructure have been stalled.
Tiwari was informed that although stone quarries in Little Andaman had been earmarked for allocation, none of them are currently operational. This has created a bottleneck in execution of works, leaving even basic development tasks unfinished. The demand presented to the BJP State President was for the immediate opening of available quarries to ensure the smooth supply of stone materials for ongoing and upcoming projects.
Taking note of the situation, the BJP leader wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, urging prompt action. In his communication, he requested that the Administration initiate steps to reopen all available quarries in Little Andaman without delay. He stressed that restoring quarry operations was essential to prevent further setbacks in development, which directly affects local communities.
During his interaction, the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman reportedly assured Tiwari that the process to open the quarries would be completed at the earliest. The assurance has been welcomed by stakeholders who view the quarry shortage as a pressing infrastructure challenge.
Stone quarrying has long been central to construction and infrastructure projects across the islands, given the logistical challenges of importing heavy building materials. Local quarries supply the stone needed for roads, buildings, and other works. Their closure has not only slowed public projects but also impacted private construction, affecting livelihoods of workers and contractors who rely on steady supply chains.
Observers note that the issue highlights the fragile balance between resource use and development in the islands. While quarrying raises environmental concerns, delays in reopening sanctioned quarries have created gaps in basic service delivery. Panchayats and local bodies have reported frustration at being unable to utilise allocated funds because of material shortages.
The BJP’s intervention places focus on administrative delays and seeks accountability for ensuring essential materials are made available. With development plans linked to road connectivity, housing, and public facilities, stakeholders argue that stone supply is critical to maintaining momentum.
The assurance from the Deputy Commissioner provides some relief, though stakeholders will be watching closely for concrete steps in the reopening of quarries. For local residents, the expectation is that the Administration will balance regulatory requirements with the urgent need to resume development.
With the BJP State President placing the issue formally before district authorities, the reopening of quarries in Little Andaman is likely to remain in focus in the coming weeks. For islanders awaiting progress on stalled projects, timely action will be seen as a test of the Administration’s responsiveness to urgent infrastructure needs.
