Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 4: Five months without regular LPG supplies and inadequate passenger and cargo connectivity have emerged as key concerns for residents of Great Nicobar and Campbell Bay, with a Zilla Parishad member seeking intervention from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
Zilla Parishad member from Govindnagar, Campbell Bay, Sanjay Kumar Singh, raised the issues during a meeting with Chief Secretary Gyanesh Bharti in Sri Vijaya Puram on September 3. Singh urged the Administration to restore regular LPG supplies and strengthen passenger, helicopter and cargo services to the remote islands.
Singh told the Chief Secretary that residents of Great Nicobar had faced non-availability of LPG for the past five months, causing considerable inconvenience. He sought immediate intervention to streamline supplies and ensure their regular availability.
He also sought an increase in passenger ship services to Campbell Bay. The existing four services, he said, should be raised to six to meet the requirements of island residents and visitors.
Helicopter connectivity also figured prominently in the meeting. Singh requested that routine helicopter services be increased from six to eight sorties, along with additional sorties where required. He linked the demand to the difficulties faced by people travelling to Campbell Bay and the major development projects proposed for Great Nicobar.
The availability of essential commodities and construction materials was another concern raised during the meeting. Singh called for regular cargo ship operations to Campbell Bay, stressing the need for dependable cargo connectivity to ensure timely movement of essential goods and materials required for development activities.
He also emphasised the need to improve transportation and communication facilities in Great Nicobar and Campbell Bay, particularly in view of the major development initiatives in the pipeline for Great Nicobar.
The meeting came shortly after Bharti assumed charge as Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Singh placed the concerns of residents before him and sought administrative action on the issues affecting daily life and connectivity in the islands.
The Chief Secretary heard the concerns raised by Singh and assured him that the issues would be examined and appropriate steps taken for their resolution at the earliest.
