Sri Vijaya Puram, April 26: Key civic and developmental concerns of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were brought into sharp focus during a public address attended by Rahul Gandhi at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Auditorium, where local leaders T. S. G. Bhaskar and Vasanta Mathuraman outlined a range of persistent challenges affecting island residents.
Addressing the gathering, both speakers highlighted the growing strain on basic utilities, particularly water and electricity. They pointed out that water supply in several parts of the islands has been reduced to once a week during peak summer months, attributing the situation to prolonged power cuts and erratic electricity shutdowns. The issue of unreliable power supply, they said, has remained a year-round concern, impacting households, businesses, and essential services.
The leaders also drew attention to employment challenges faced by local youth. They noted a rising dependency on mainland India for job opportunities, as limited avenues within the islands continue to constrain economic prospects. According to them, unemployment among island youth remains a pressing issue, with broader social implications, including concerns over mental health and reported high suicide rates.
In their address, Bhaskar and Mathuraman contrasted the current scenario with earlier policies, stating that employment systems in the past provided greater reservation and protection for island residents. They argued that increasing competition from mainland applicants, who often have greater exposure and access to resources, has reduced opportunities for local candidates. This shift, they claimed, has intensified economic insecurity among the youth.
Environmental concerns also featured prominently in the discussion, particularly regarding the proposed Great Nicobar Project. The speakers warned that the scale of the project could have significant ecological consequences, involving large-scale forest clearance across a landmass comparable in size to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). They expressed apprehension that such development could disrupt fragile island ecosystems and biodiversity.
Bhaskar further questioned the rationale behind developing a new “smart city” in Great Nicobar while existing urban centres in the islands continue to face infrastructural limitations. He pointed out that the current capital city has struggled to evolve into a fully developed urban hub, citing gaps in planning, services, and sustainable growth. In this context, he raised concerns about prioritising new large-scale urban projects without addressing foundational issues in existing settlements.
The event saw participation from a cross-section of residents, with the discussion reflecting broader anxieties about infrastructure, employment, and environmental sustainability in the islands. While the presence of national political leadership brought visibility to these concerns, local stakeholders emphasized the need for sustained policy attention tailored to the unique geographic and socio-economic conditions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The issues raised at the gathering underscore ongoing debates over balancing development ambitions with ecological preservation and local welfare, questions that remain central to the region’s future trajectory.
