Sri Vijaya Puram: Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has written to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration urging immediate intervention to develop basic civic infrastructure at the North Bay tourist destination. The letter follows his recent visit to the site on July 8, where he interacted with tourists and local entrepreneurs who voiced concern over the lack of essential amenities, despite rising footfall in the area.
According to the MP, the scenic stretch connecting Chunna Bhatta to North Bay, inaugurated on April 30 this year, has led to a significant increase in tourist visits. The road has not only improved access but also created new income opportunities for local youths and Self-Help Groups through the setting up of petty shops and tourism-linked services. However, the absence of foundational services, he said, is beginning to affect both the visitor experience and the livelihoods of those depending on the site for daily income.
In his correspondence, Ray pointed out that there is currently no access to safe drinking water at North Bay. Visitors are forced to purchase bottled water at inflated prices, which is both inconvenient and unsustainable. He called upon the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to address the issue by installing a functional water supply system without delay.
He further noted that the area lacks electricity infrastructure, making it difficult for small vendors to operate in the evening and limiting the scope for extended tourism hours. The MP has requested the Electricity Department to expedite electrification so that the area remains active beyond daylight hours.
Transportation access also came under scrutiny. As of now, only private transport options are available to and from North Bay, and tourists reportedly face high travel costs due to the absence of regulated government transport. The MP has recommended that the State Transport Service (STS) introduce three fixed-route buses daily, at 9:30 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 6:00 PM, to ensure affordable and reliable connectivity for both tourists and local commuters.
Another major concern raised during his visit was the complete absence of public toilet facilities. Tourists and vendors currently have no access to hygienic sanitation, resulting in open defecation that could damage the ecological and reputational value of the site. Ray has urged the Department of Tourism to install at least three pre-fabricated “pay and use” toilet blocks each for men and women to ensure cleanliness, privacy, and dignity for all visitors.
The MP cautioned that unless these core issues are addressed quickly, North Bay’s image as an emerging tourist hotspot could suffer. He emphasized that the site’s rising popularity must be supported by infrastructure that matches the expectations of modern travelers and safeguards the interests of local communities.
Copies of the letter have been marked to the Chief Engineer of APWD, the Superintending Engineer of Electricity, the Director of Transport, and the Director of Tourism, requesting urgent and coordinated departmental action.
As of now, there has been no official response from the administration. However, stakeholders across the local tourism ecosystem have welcomed the MP’s intervention, expressing hope that overdue upgrades will finally take shape to meet the needs of a growing visitor base.
