MP Bishnu Pada Ray Secures In-Precept Approval of ₹123.92 Crore CRIF Funds for A&N Islands

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 04 December 2025

In a significant growth for street infrastructure within the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Hon’ble Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has secured an in-principle approval of ₹123.92 crore beneath the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) from Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari.

The approval follows a gathering between the MP and the Union Minister in New Delhi, throughout which Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray urged the Ministry to sanction Phase-II proposals submitted by the UT Administration. The proposal contains 41 street growth tasks amounting to ₹123.92 crore.

During the assembly, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his gratitude to Mr. Nitin Gadkari for his continued help to the geographically distant island territory, which depends closely on CRIF help as a result of restricted native monetary assets. He additionally acknowledged the sooner sanction of ₹49.99 crore for 90 works beneath Phase-I, authorized on 28 August 2025 — fulfilling a dedication made by the Minister throughout his go to to the Islands on 28 December 2024.

The MP highlighted the challenges confronted by the UT Administration in sustaining and growing street infrastructure as a result of extreme finances constraints beneath capital funds. He requested enhanced CRIF allocation or leisure in ceilings for the Islands, citing their remoteness, backwardness and dependence on central help.

Following the detailed briefing, Mr. Nitin Gadkari granted fast in-principle approval for the Phase-II proposal and directed ministry officers to provoke additional procedures.

Calling it a “major relief” for the Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray said that the approval marks a major step towards strengthening connectivity and bettering public infrastructure throughout the Union Territory. “This decision will greatly benefit the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and accelerate long-pending development of essential road networks,” he mentioned.