Janta Darshan Organised to Accelerate the Overall and Holistic Development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 30: With the objective of strengthening democracy through public participation and making governance more people-centric, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, a Janta Darshan programme was organised today at Lok Niwas. On the occasion, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, announced various developmental initiatives and public welfare measures for the Islands and personally heard the grievances of citizens, issuing necessary directions to the concerned officers for their redressal.
During the Janta Darshan programme, before hearing the grievances of citizens, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor made several important announcements concerning the development of the Islands.
To address the drinking water crisis, approval has been accorded for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the construction of check dams at Guptapara and Burma Nallah. These projects are expected to create an additional water storage capacity of 13,000 million litres. The construction of check dams, ponds and mini dams will further enhance the overall water storage capacity of the Islands.
To improve power supply, NTPC will establish a 50 MW LNG-based power plant at Hope Town by 2029. Further, under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, rooftop solar power systems will be installed in 11,618 households. A stretch of 40 to 60 kilometres of NH-4 is expected to become motorable by February 2027.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor also announced that legal efforts would be made to seek withdrawal of the cases registered against 51 persons in connection with the protest held following the death of a fisherwoman. He further announced free helicopter travel facilities for Nicobari tribal patients from Nicobar to Sri Vijaya Puram, along with one attendant.
Under the Central Government’s Interim Relief Scheme, 2026, compensation of up to Rs. 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of persons who die in Government transport bus accidents, while persons sustaining grievous injuries will be eligible for compensation of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
In a major step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure, in-principle approval has been accorded for a 500-bedded hospital at an estimated cost of Rs. 170 crore. Directions have also been issued to ensure the availability of all necessary equipment and medicines. Upgradation of MRI and ICU facilities at GB Pant Hospital, expediting the construction of a 50-bedded Critical Care Block at Garacharma and commencement of the Operation Theatre facility there were also highlighted.
Under Ayushman Bharat, in cases involving referrals of critically ill patients, the cost of ship tickets for patients requiring stretcher facilities will be made available before their journey.
Under connectivity, Cochin Shipyard will provide a new vessel with a capacity of 700 passengers and 1,300 tonnes of cargo within two years. New bus for Campbell Bay is expected to arrive by the end of November 2026.
Transportation of petrol and diesel through the vessel MT IRIS has commenced. A new vessel for LPG transportation is expected to be available by February 2027, which will increase the fuel storage capacity from 16 days to 90 days.
Under Social Welfare, an 84-bedded Working Women’s Hostel at Rangat will be made operational shortly, while approval has been accorded for the construction of an old-age home at Diglipur. Arrangements will also be made to provide toys for children at every Anganwadi Centre within three months.
To strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rs. 144.13 crore has been released, while another Rs. 30.05 crore will be released shortly. Eighteen Gram Panchayat development works worth approximately Rs. 8 crore have been approved. A grant of Rs. 18 crore has also been sanctioned for the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC).
To promote tourism, a Light and Sound Show will be introduced at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island within two months. Approval has also been accorded to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the safe operation of fun rides at Elephant Beach and other tourist destinations.
Providing significant relief under the Homestay Policy, the maximum permissible number of rooms has been increased from six to eight, and the mandatory requirement for the owner to reside on the premises has been dispensed with.
Five e-carts each will be introduced at the jetties of Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep from the first week of November.
Under administrative reforms, the driving licence process will be simplified, with licences to be delivered to the registered addresses of applicants. A proposal has also been initiated to fill Group-C posts for providing compassionate appointments to the dependants of deceased Government employees.
In the education sector, the tender for Science Block-A of ANIIMS has been awarded, while matters relating to the promotion of professors at DBRAIT are under consideration. A proposal for land allotment for community development at Brindavan village is also under evaluation.
Following the developmental announcements, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor personally heard the individual grievances of the citizens present at the programme. Grievances relating to health, education, drinking water, electricity, land and other administrative matters were taken up, and the Secretaries of the concerned Departments and senior officers were directed to take necessary action and ensure their expeditious resolution.
Some of the major decisions taken during the interaction included:
Medical assistance: In addition to the assistance available under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, immediate financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh was announced for a mother seeking treatment for her seriously ill son.
Action against narcotic activities: Taking serious note of a complaint regarding alleged narcotic activities along the Seashore Road leading to Fishermen Village at Dairy Farm, the Police were directed to conduct immediate raids and take stringent action against those involved.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor also interacted with leaders of various political parties and public representatives attending the Janta Darshan. He received their valuable suggestions on various issues concerning the development of the Islands and public welfare and held discussions on the matters raised.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor directed that public hearings should be organised at the district level once every 15 days or at least once a month, so that the grievances of ordinary citizens can be resolved locally by the concerned Departments and officers. He emphasised that issues which can be resolved at the grassroots level should not be unnecessarily escalated to higher authorities and must instead be addressed on priority by the officers concerned.
At the conclusion of the programme, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor expressed his gratitude to the public representatives, political party representatives, officials and citizens who participated in the Janta Darshan.
Citizens expressed their happiness over the opportunity to directly present their grievances before the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and receive immediate directions for their resolution. Those present appreciated the initiative, describing it as a commendable step towards establishing direct communication between the Administration and the public and ensuring the speedy redressal of public grievances.
Thereafter, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor distributed appointment letters to the selected candidates for the post of Forest Ranger under the Department of Environment & Forests at an Appointment Letter Distribution Ceremony. He extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the selected candidates and called upon them to discharge their responsibilities with utmost sincerity, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
The Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, also expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor for the Janta Darshan initiative and appreciated the efforts of the Administration in successfully organising the programme.