Sri Vijaya Puram, June 11: The onset of the monsoon has once again exposed vulnerabilities in Sri Vijaya Puram’s urban infrastructure, with fresh landslide activity reported on the Fire Brigade–India Map road stretch barely months after the route was repaired and reopened to traffic.
The latest damage has surfaced near the ANIIDCO office, also known as Vikas Bhawan, on the same stretch that was shut down in September 2025 after widening cracks appeared on the roadway following prolonged rainfall.
At the time, the South Andaman district administration diverted traffic between Fire Brigade Junction and India Map Junction amid fears of a major slope failure. Repair and stabilisation works were subsequently undertaken and the route was reopened after authorities declared it safe for vehicular movement.
However, the return of rains has once again triggered signs of slope movement and structural distress, raising questions about whether the earlier intervention addressed the root cause of the problem or merely provided a temporary solution.
The recurrence of damage within a year has intensified concerns over the quality of execution, project supervision and the effectiveness of slope stabilisation measures undertaken at the site. The latest failure is particularly significant because the stretch had already been identified as vulnerable and had undergone extensive repairs at public expense.
The fresh landslide comes close on the heels of another infrastructure setback reported earlier this month on the Corbyn’s Cove coastal corridor.
A portion of a newly constructed retaining wall near the Judge’s Bungalow at Mazar Pahad collapsed following rainfall, raising fresh questions about the quality and durability of recently executed public works. The retaining structure formed part of the Marina Park-Corbyn’s Cove corridor improvement works and was intended to prevent soil erosion and slope movement along the hillside.
The collapse of a structure specifically designed to withstand monsoon conditions has prompted calls for a technical review of the project and renewed scrutiny of construction standards, supervision and maintenance practices.
The incidents come against the backdrop of a civic problem that has become synonymous with the monsoon season in Sri Vijaya Puram – persistent waterlogging.
Several parts of the city continue to experience flooding and water accumulation after even moderate spells of rain. Low-lying roads, market areas and residential neighbourhoods routinely witness waterlogging, disrupting traffic movement, inconveniencing pedestrians and affecting commercial activity.
Despite repeated expenditure on drainage upgrades, road improvements and urban development works over the years, waterlogging remains one of the most visible civic challenges facing the island capital. Residents frequently complain that the same locations witness flooding year after year, raising concerns about the adequacy of stormwater drainage infrastructure and maintenance practices.
Taken together, the fresh damage on the Fire Brigade–India Map road, the retaining wall collapse near Mazar Pahad and recurring waterlogging point to a broader challenge confronting urban infrastructure in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Engineers have long pointed out that infrastructure development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands requires specialised planning owing to the region’s unique geographical conditions. Heavy rainfall, steep gradients, unstable slopes, water seepage and fragile soil structures make roads, retaining walls and drainage systems particularly vulnerable during the monsoon.
Experts note that recurring failures often indicate deeper structural problems rather than isolated incidents. Inadequate drainage can weaken road foundations, while poorly stabilised slopes become susceptible to landslides. Retaining walls and protective structures require detailed geotechnical assessments, robust engineering and regular maintenance to remain effective over time.
The repeated need to repair the same infrastructure also raises questions about public expenditure and accountability. Every episode of road damage, landslide or structural collapse results in fresh spending on restoration works, often on stretches that have undergone repairs in the recent past.
The Fire Brigade–India Map road itself illustrates this concern. Less than a year after substantial repair and stabilisation efforts were undertaken, the stretch is once again showing signs of distress, leading many residents to question whether public infrastructure projects are delivering lasting solutions or merely temporary relief.
With rainfall expected to intensify in the coming weeks, vulnerable locations across Sri Vijaya Puram are likely to remain under close watch.
For many residents, the latest landslide is no longer an isolated incident. Instead, it has become part of a recurring pattern that resurfaces every monsoon, fuelling a larger debate over whether the city’s infrastructure is being built to withstand the realities of island conditions—or simply repaired until the next spell of rain arrives.
