Sri Vijaya Puram, May 8: Persistent shortages of water and electricity on North Bay Island, a popular tourist destination located north of Sri Vijaya Puram, have emerged as a major concern for local vendors, affecting daily operations and livelihoods despite recent improvements in street lighting.
North Bay, known for its lighthouse and water-based activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and sea walking, continues to attract tourists through the season. Vendors operating on the island, however, say basic infrastructure has not kept pace with the demands of tourism.
The Wave Andaman had earlier reported the issue of inadequate street lighting on North Bay, pointing to poor nighttime visibility in the area. Authorities have since installed street lights, improving visibility and making movement safer for visitors and workers after dark.
But vendors say the intervention has addressed only one part of the problem. Water supply remains irregular and insufficient, while small shopkeepers still do not have access to individual electricity connections.
Bhagyawati, who runs a small shop on North Bay Island, told The Wave Andaman that vendors have been facing a severe water crisis for nearly a year. In the absence of a local supply system, shopkeepers are forced to carry water from home or buy it separately, increasing their daily costs.
She said Panchayat representatives and the Pradhan had visited the area a few days ago and assured vendors that the issue would be resolved. However, no visible progress has been made so far, she added.
The water shortage has made it difficult for vendors to maintain hygiene, clean their stalls, prepare food and manage routine business operations. The problem is particularly severe in a location that sees steady tourist footfall and depends heavily on visitor services.
Electricity is another unresolved issue. Vendors say they do not have individual power connections for their stalls. The available street lighting helps with visibility but does not support business operations or allow the use of basic electrical equipment.
The combined shortage of water and electricity has placed additional pressure on small vendors dependent on tourism for their income. They have demanded regular water supply, individual electricity connections and broader infrastructure support beyond street lighting.
The challenges at North Bay also reflect a wider infrastructure strain being felt across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Several parts of the islands continue to face recurring power shortages, particularly during peak summer months when electricity demand rises sharply. Frequent outages and limited generation capacity have remained longstanding concerns for residents and businesses alike, with tourism-dependent local economies often among the worst affected.
Water scarcity has similarly remained a persistent issue across the islands due to limited freshwater storage infrastructure and dependence on rainfall. With the Andaman and Nicobar Islands lacking large reservoirs and facing growing population and tourism pressures, authorities have repeatedly struggled to ensure uninterrupted water supply during dry periods. Concerns over water security have resurfaced frequently in recent years, especially in areas witnessing rapid tourism-linked activity.
The situation highlights the gap between North Bay Island’s importance as a tourist attraction and the basic services needed to sustain tourism-linked livelihoods. While street lighting has improved, vendors say reliable water and electricity remain essential for the island’s daily functioning.
