Fishermen’s livelihood concerns and villagers’ demands for basic facilities came into focus on September 15 as Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray raised two sets of pressing grievances before the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The issues spanned from the functioning of the Modern Fish Market in Mohanpura to the long-neglected development needs of Borong village in Mayabunder, with the MP pressing for urgent intervention to safeguard community welfare.
In the morning, Bishnu Pada Ray, along with representatives of the Fishermen Welfare Association and members of the fishing community, met the Chief Secretary to highlight hardships faced by fishermen due to the suspension of electricity supply at the Modern Fish Market in Mohanpura. The power cut has disrupted storage and sales operations, directly affecting the daily earnings of those dependent on the market. The disconnection stemmed from unpaid dues accumulated over several years by the self-help group entrusted with the market’s upkeep under an agreement with the municipal council.
The MP underlined the importance of resolving the impasse quickly, given the market’s central role in supporting livelihoods across the fishing community. The delegation also pushed for progress on the proposed new fish market at Dignabad, a project long discussed but yet to be executed. The Chief Secretary assured that the Mohanpura issue was under review and would be resolved within a week, balancing financial accountability with the community’s welfare.
Later in the day, Bishnu Pada Ray turned attention to Borong village in Mayabunder, citing decades of neglect and deprivation of basic amenities for the 32 families settled there between 1970 and 1974. In a formal letter to the Chief Secretary, with copies marked to the Prime Minister and Home Minister, he listed a series of urgent demands ranging from road connectivity to safe drinking water.
Currently, Borong remains accessible only through a five-kilometre temporary forest track created decades ago for logging operations. The pipe bridge across a stream has washed away, forcing villagers to cross the nallah on foot and exposing them to crocodile threats. With no pucca road in place, children struggle to continue schooling beyond the primary level. The MP pressed for inclusion of a proper road project in the annual plan of the Public Works Department.
Water supply remains another critical concern. Since the 2004 tsunami destroyed traditional sources, villagers have relied on untreated stream water. The absence of safe alternatives has heightened health risks, particularly during summer. The MP called out the discrepancy between the Administration’s claim of 100% Jal Jeevan Mission coverage, which earned it a national award, and the lived reality of Borong villagers.
Education and healthcare facilities were also flagged. The semi-RCC primary school requires urgent renovation, while damaged staff quarters force teachers to commute from Mayabunder. No dispensary or health sub-centre exists in the village, leaving residents vulnerable to seasonal outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Connectivity remains poor as well, with weak mobile coverage isolating villagers from digital services, emergency communication, and financial access. The MP urged coordination with service providers to improve the network.
While acknowledging that housing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has reached Borong, Bishnu Pada Ray criticized the Administration for failing to provide basic rights such as water, education, and healthcare. He argued that these were not matters of development alone but fundamental entitlements of dignity and survival.
By highlighting both the fish market issue in Mohanpura and the plight of Borong, the MP has sought to bring administrative attention to the daily struggles of two very different communities, one dependent on fisheries for immediate livelihood, and another isolated for decades from the most basic of public services. The Administration’s response in the coming weeks will determine how quickly relief and long-overdue justice reach those affected.
