Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 03: National Highway-4 continues to remain incomplete and deteriorated across several stretches of North and Middle Andaman despite a written assurance that pending works would be completed by the end of June 2026, with the condition of the highway now drawing a fresh demand for direct intervention by the Lieutenant Governor.
The highway, regarded as the lifeline for North and Middle Andaman, has reported poor road conditions across multiple sections, including stretches that had already been completed but have since deteriorated. The continuing problems have prompted G. Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Congress Committee (ANTCC), to ask the Lieutenant Governor to personally travel from Jirkatang to Diglipur on NH-4 and assess the situation on the ground.
The demand follows an earlier assurance from NHIDCL after the Congress organised a Chakka Jam on November 1, 2025. The protest was called off after assurances were given on improvement and completion of NH-4. NHIDCL subsequently assured in writing that the pending works would be completed by the end of June 2026. Bhasker has now pointed to the condition of the highway as evidence that the situation remains unsatisfactory after the stated deadline.
The extent of the problem varies across the highway. On the Jirkatang-Middle Strait stretch, sections have deteriorated despite earlier work. Between Baratang and Kadamtala, around 80% of the road is reportedly in good condition, while the remaining 20% is incomplete.
The Kadamtala-Parlobjig Gate No. 15 section has seen only around 40% of the work completed, leaving the rest in poor condition. From Parlobjig Gate No. 15 to Bakultala Junction, the road is reportedly in extremely bad condition. Between Bakultala and Rangat, only around 40% of the work has been completed.
Further north, the Rangat-Billiground stretch, which had earlier been completed, has become severely dilapidated, with the road surface opening up at several locations. The Billiground-Mayabunder section has also deteriorated badly, with several points lacking a proper road surface.
The Mayabunder-Diglipur stretch, which had remained in good condition after earlier completion, has now significantly deteriorated and poses a serious risk to motorists and commuters, Bhasker said.
The deterioration has raised questions in his letter over road construction quality, supervision, monitoring and accountability. He also expressed concern over the possibility of stretches being allowed to deteriorate until their applicable warranty period expires, followed by fresh tenders for repair and maintenance. Bhasker termed such a system “high-level corruption.”
He has urged the Lieutenant Governor to inspect NH-4 personally rather than relying only on official reports and representations, saying a journey along the highway would provide a direct assessment of the difficulties faced by patients, transporters, tourists, students, workers and the general public.
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and the Executive Director of NHIDCL, seeking immediate intervention and necessary action.
