The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has formally handed over mortuary vans to the Tribal Councils of Kamorta and Nancowry Islands, reinforcing essential healthcare and community services for tribal populations. The ceremony took place during the Island Tourism Festival 2025 at Indira Park, Kamorta, in the presence of Village Headmen and members of the Tribal Councils.
The initiative comes after a demand from the tribal communities was received by the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar. Acting on his guidance, the District Administration initiated the procurement process and ensured the timely provision of the mortuary vans. The handover reflects a concerted effort to meet long-standing requirements of the tribal population in remote islands of Nicobar District.
Assistant Commissioner of Nancowry, Aditya Sangotra, formally delivered the keys of the vehicles to the Chairperson of the Tribal Council of Kamorta and Nancowry. The event also included the participation of village captains and council members, who expressed their gratitude to the Chief Secretary, the Secretary of Tribal Welfare, and the Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District for addressing this critical community need.
This development follows similar interventions in other islands. Mortuary vans for Katchal and Chowra were previously procured and handed over on the occasion of Independence Day 2025, demonstrating the Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving tribal welfare and healthcare infrastructure across the district.
Officials highlighted that the provision of mortuary vans is a significant step in strengthening essential services while ensuring cultural sensitivity. It is designed to uphold the dignity of tribal communities, enabling the proper handling of deceased persons in accordance with local traditions and practices.
The handover is also aligned with the Administration’s broader strategy of people-centric governance. By focusing on practical solutions to long-standing infrastructural gaps, the A&N Administration seeks to ensure equitable access to essential services for all residents, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Community leaders praised the initiative as a long-awaited measure addressing a basic yet critical need in the islands. They noted that prior to the availability of these vans, local communities faced logistical challenges in handling sensitive situations related to the transportation of deceased persons, which often affected timely and dignified observance of cultural practices.
The Administration stated that similar infrastructure interventions are being planned for other remote islands, aiming to systematically strengthen healthcare, transport, and emergency services across the Nicobar district.
With the formal handover of mortuary vans to Kamorta and Nancowry, tribal communities are expected to benefit from improved access to essential services, while the Administration continues to implement targeted measures to enhance welfare and governance in the island territories.
