Sri Vijaya Puram, May 5: A new educational infrastructure facility aimed at strengthening rural schooling in South Andaman was inaugurated on Tuesday, marking a step forward in improving academic and community resources in the region.
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D. K. Joshi inaugurated the Eknath Ranade Assembly Hall at Vivekananda Kendra Zilla Parishad Vidyalaya in Port Mout, establishing a modern space designed to support both educational and extracurricular activities. The development is positioned as a key addition to rural education infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials and local representatives, including Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Prakash Adhikari, Chief Executive Officer Rajanish Singh, and Zilla Parishad Member Parmila Kumari, along with residents of the area.
Constructed under the Zilla Parishad with guidance from Vivekananda Kendra, the facility is intended to serve as a multipurpose auditorium. It is expected to host academic programmes, cultural events, and community gatherings, thereby enhancing the overall learning environment for students in rural South Andaman.
Addressing the gathering, Prakash Adhikari underscored the importance of strengthening rural infrastructure, linking it to broader national development goals. He stated that development at the grassroots level remains central to nation building and highlighted the role of local governance systems in facilitating community participation in such initiatives.
Adhikari also outlined expansion plans within the Vivekananda Kendra Zilla Parishad school network. He said that land measuring 1.5 hectares in Calicut and 1 hectare in Manglutan has been earmarked for the construction of new schools. Further expansion is planned across Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Little Andaman (Hut Bay), and Campbell Bay, indicating a broader push to extend educational access in remote regions.
He added that multiple proposals have been submitted under the Prime Minister Jan Vikas Karyakram to strengthen infrastructure in underserved areas, with approvals expected in the near future.
Highlighting the execution of the project, Adhikari noted that the construction of the assembly hall was completed at a cost nearly ₹30 lakh below the sanctioned budget. He credited the engineering and accounts departments for efficient financial management in delivering the project.
Prakash Adhikari described the inauguration as a milestone in the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the islands, reflecting coordinated efforts between local governance bodies and the administration to improve public infrastructure.
The newly built assembly hall is expected to play a significant role in enriching educational experiences at the Port Mout school and supporting community engagement activities. It also sets a precedent for similar infrastructure initiatives across rural parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as authorities continue to focus on expanding access to quality education facilities.
