Sri Vijaya Puram: In a significant boost to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ road development pipeline, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has granted in-principle approval for ₹124 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). The approval follows a detailed meeting in New Delhi with Bishnu Pada Ray (MP, Lok Sabha, Andaman & Nicobar Islands), who pressed for expedited clearance of the UT Administration’s Phase-II road proposal.
The sanctioned amount covers 41 road projects submitted by the Administration, forming the second phase of a broader, multi-year effort to upgrade the Islands’ essential road network. During the meeting, Ray thanked the Minister for the Ministry’s continued support, noting that a remote and resource-constrained territory like the Islands relies heavily on CRIF for meaningful road-building and repair initiatives.
He recalled that the Ministry had earlier sanctioned ₹49.99 crore for 90 works under Phase-I on 28 August 2025, an approval that followed commitments made during Gadkari’s December 2024 visit to Sri Vijaya Puram. According to the MP, Phase-I works are now being processed by the Administration and are expected to strengthen mobility in several localities where repair and resurfacing have been delayed for years due to limited capital allocations.
In parallel, official records accessed by The Wave Andaman confirm that the Ministry has already sanctioned 29 road works for execution by the State-level Project Management Cell (SVPMC) during 2025–26. These include resurfacing, short-stretch repairs and structural interventions across South Andaman, ranging from internal black-topping and resurfacing near community spaces like temple surroundings to construction of retaining walls and drainage lines. Allocations span from around ₹14 lakh for critical micro-interventions to over ₹25 lakh for structural works, reflecting the diverse local requirements being supported.
Ray informed the Minister that the UT Administration had forwarded the complete Phase-II proposal, 41 estimates amounting to roughly ₹124 crore, along with all clarifications sought by the Ministry. After reviewing the submissions and hearing the MP’s detailed justification, Gadkari granted immediate in-principle approval and directed officials to begin procedural follow-up without delay.
Calling the clearance a “significant relief for the people of the Islands,” Ray said the approval marks a meaningful step toward bridging long-standing infrastructure gaps. Improved roads and smoother connectivity, he added, are vital for strengthening links between rural habitations, public service points and emerging economic zones.
His office noted that sustained follow-up, through letters, parliamentary interventions and direct engagement with central ministries, has helped accelerate several infrastructure proposals over the past year. The latest approval, they said, underscores the Centre’s responsiveness to the developmental priorities of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
