Long-pending civil aviation issues affecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were once again flagged at the national level following a meeting between island MP Bishnu Pada Ray and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, with the MP pressing for early action on air connectivity, airfare regulation and emergency medical evacuation.
During the interaction, the MP revisited concerns earlier placed before the Ministry through a formal letter in July this year, drawing attention to what he described as a continued lack of response or visible progress on critical island-specific aviation needs. Emphasising the strategic and humanitarian importance of air services for the Union Territory, Ray is understood to have urged the Ministry to move from review to implementation.
A key demand reiterated in the meeting was the introduction of a direct flight between Sri Vijaya Puram and Madurai. The MP highlighted sustained public demand for the route, noting that direct connectivity with southern Tamil Nadu would significantly ease travel for students, patients, traders and tourists, while reducing reliance on multi-leg journeys via larger mainland hubs.
The issue of airfare regulation on island routes was also raised, particularly for sectors connecting Sri Vijaya Puram with cities such as Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar and Delhi. Ray flagged recurring complaints over steep and volatile fares, especially during peak seasons and medical emergencies, arguing that for island residents air travel is a necessity rather than a discretionary expense. He stressed the need for policy safeguards to prevent sudden price surges and ensure affordability.
The most urgent concern discussed pertained to medical evacuation from the islands. The MP drew attention to the absence of a dedicated air ambulance or air stretcher facility to ferry critically ill patients to mainland centres like Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. He pointed out that delays and logistical hurdles in arranging emergency airlifting continue to place families under extreme emotional and financial pressure, often at life-threatening moments.
The MP sought the Minister’s intervention to put in place a structured and accessible medevac mechanism, given the limited availability of advanced tertiary care facilities in the islands. He underlined that timely air evacuation remains a crucial lifeline for islanders facing serious medical conditions.
Reiterating the geographical isolation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ray urged the Ministry to consider island aviation needs on priority, stating that reliable connectivity, fair pricing and emergency preparedness are central to the social and economic well-being of the Union Territory. The meeting adds to a series of representations by MP seeking sustained national attention to civil aviation gaps that continue to affect daily life in the islands.
