Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 04 August 2025
Mr. R. Sachithanantham, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, together with Mr. D. Ayyappan, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – Andaman and Nicobar Islands, met the Union Minister of Power, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, at his Parliament House workplace lately to spotlight the deepening energy disaster in Port Blair and the adjoining rural areas of South Andaman.
The CPI (M) delegation submitted a memorandum by way of the MP, detailing the deteriorating electrical energy scenario within the area, following partial privatisation of energy technology. The get together expressed critical issues over the federal government’s determination to close down generator units operated by the Electricity Department and to rely as a substitute on personal companies, with out sufficient safeguards or backup.
The memorandum famous that Port Blair and close by rural areas, with a mixed inhabitants of over three lakhs, proceed to undergo from acute energy shortages. The CPI (M) identified that whereas the area at present requires roughly 48 MW of electrical energy, the Electricity Department is receiving lower than 40 MW, leading to a shortfall of seven–10 MW. This hole is being managed by way of in depth and frequent energy cuts, which have severely impacted every day life, particularly that of scholars.
To handle the disaster, the delegation urged the Power Minister to instantly deploy diesel generator units in Port Blair as a brief measure. However, the minister dominated out the proposal citing excessive manufacturing prices.
Instead, CPI (M) really helpful a long-term resolution by enhancing renewable power infrastructure. They demanded the set up of a solar energy backup battery system on the current 20 MW solar energy plant in Port Blair, to stop frequent provide disruptions. Additionally, the get together referred to as for the event of ground-mounted or floating photo voltaic vegetation with adequate battery backup at 7–8 key places throughout the Union Territory.
The delegation additionally steered increasing photo voltaic rooftop installations on residential buildings in Port Blair and different islands. According to the CPI (M), hundreds of houses and buildings could possibly be tapped for small-scale photo voltaic installations, contributing meaningfully to the general energy provide.
The pending proposal for a 50 MW LNG-based energy plant at Hopetown in rural South Andaman was additionally mentioned throughout the assembly. CPI (M) State Secretary D. Ayyappan pressed the minister to expedite approval and implementation of the venture, which might doubtlessly eradicate the present energy deficit.
Further, the CPI (M) strongly opposed the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to privatise the ability sector within the islands. Mr. Ayyappan urged that the electrical energy sector in Andaman and Nicobar Islands stay underneath authorities management to safeguard the roles of round 2,000 engineers, staff, and employees at present employed with the Electricity Department. He additionally referred to as for the revival of government-operated energy vegetation throughout the territory.
Concluding their enchantment, the CPI (M) representatives urged the central authorities to accord particular class standing to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands within the energy sector, with the intention to facilitate everlasting options to recurring disruptions and to satisfy the rising power calls for of the inhabitants.
The Union Minister of Power assured the delegation that the issues raised could be fastidiously examined.
