Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Andaman & Nicobar — June 2, 2025
India’s only Blue Flag-certified beach island and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia is now making headlines — not for its pristine beauty, but for its collapse of basic infrastructure.
For over two decades, Havelock Island has suffered from chronic power failures, and the situation has reached a breaking point in recent weeks. Residents and tourists are battling daily electricity cuts exceeding 9 hours, resulting in complete internet blackouts, mobile network shutdowns, and widespread chaos.
“It’s not just a power issue anymore — this is a human rights issue in the 21st century,” said a local tourism operator.
Paradise in Peril
Known for Radhanagar Beach — one of Asia’s cleanest and most scenic — Havelock Island is often marketed as a world-class tourist destination. Ironically, it now struggles to provide 24×7 electricity, a basic necessity in modern civilization.
With no stable electricity, telecom towers are frequently disabled, internet services collapse, and emergency communications are lost. The power fluctuation is so severe that major telecom operators like BSNL, Airtel, and Jio are unable to charge their backup systems, leading to complete digital isolation.
Tax Pool, But No Benefits
Despite contributing the highest tourism revenue and taxes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the people of Havelock say they are treated like second-class citizens.
“We generate crores in tourism and GST revenue, but the facilities here are worse than Somalia. We are still living in darkness while government officials enjoy air conditioning in Port Blair,” said a resident of Radha Nagar.
No Accountability, No Progress
Insiders claim that electricity department officials receive full salary and overtime allowances, even when the power supply is non-functional. The result? Zero accountability and no urgency to resolve islanders’ issues.
No action committee or public grievance council has been formed, and multiple requests to the administration have either been ignored or shelved under bureaucratic layers. Despite rising demands to allow private energy providers to step in, the administration is allegedly more focused on cutting costs than restoring supply.
“Instead of finding solutions, the department is saving money by cutting our power. How is this even legal?” questioned an angry hotel owner.
Massive Impact on Tourism and Life
- Tourists are cancelling bookings due to unbearable heat, no fans, no network, and no water pumps.
- Online businesses, resorts, and dive centers are losing lakhs in revenue.
- Students on vacation can’t access online education or entertainment.
- Farmers in Krishnanagar are unable to use electric pumps due to low voltage, turning fertile land into waste.
- Healthcare services are compromised as refrigerators for medicines and communication lines fail.
This is not a temporary problem — this has been the state of affairs for 20+ years, with no visible roadmap or investment for long-term resolution.
Call to Action
It is high time the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Ministry of Power, and UT Electricity Department are held accountable. The people of Havelock demand:
- Immediate engagement of private energy suppliers
- Permanent power grid and solar backups
- 24×7 electricity guarantee for all residents and businesses
- Independent watchdog council for accountability
- Compensation for economic and personal losses
Without these urgent steps, this once-celebrated island will continue its descent into darkness — quite literally.
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