Sri Vijaya Puram | March 13, 2026
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray met Nitin Gadkari on Friday and raised issues over the deteriorating situation of a number of stretches of the National Highway in North and Middle Andaman district.
During the assembly, the MP highlighted the deplorable situation of the National Highway stretch between Baratang and Diglipur, stating that a number of parts of the street have developed giant potholes attributable to poor base and plinth work. He knowledgeable the Union Minister that the street situation has grow to be unsafe for vehicular motion and is inflicting vital inconvenience to commuters and residents.
Ray additionally expressed concern over the sluggish progress of the Middle–Baratang bridge venture. He identified that if the work continues at this time tempo, the venture might not be accomplished throughout the timeline set by the Ministry and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The MP additional drew consideration to administrative gaps affecting efficient monitoring of National Highway works within the district. Earlier, separate General Managers have been posted for the Project Monitoring Units (PMUs) at Baratang and Mayabunder to oversee the works. However, the General Manager stationed at Sri Vijaya Puram is at the moment holding further cost of all PMU items in North and Middle Andaman, limiting efficient field-level supervision.
Additionally, Ray famous that the Project Manager of NHIDCL on the PMU in Mayabunder has not been granted an extension, ensuing within the absence of a devoted officer to supervise ongoing freeway initiatives within the district.
He urged the Union Minister to intervene to expedite the continuing works, together with the Baratang bridge venture, and to make sure that the National Highway stretch from Baratang to Diglipur is accomplished throughout the timelines fastened by the Ministry.
The MP additionally requested that monitoring preparations be strengthened and steered deputing an professional group from the Ministry or NHIDCL to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to evaluate the present situation of the freeway stretches and guarantee high quality and well timed completion of the initiatives.
Apart from the highway-related points, Ray additionally requested early approval of the Batch-II proposal beneath the Central Road Fund (CRF) amounting to ₹123.92 crore, which has been submitted by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and is at the moment pending with the Ministry.
Gadkari assured the MP that the problems raised could be examined and acceptable motion could be taken. Ray additionally submitted an in depth letter to the Minister outlining the issues.
