NHIDCL Seeks a Week’s Time to Provide Written Assurance to General Public
Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 2: The Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) organized a peaceful “Chakka Jam” protest on 01st November, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM to draw attention to the deteriorating condition of the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), also known as NH-4. The protest witnessed the participation of over 700 people, including residents, party workers, and community leaders from North and Middle Andaman districts.
The ATR, stretching from Chidiyatapu to Diglipur, serves as the only major surface connection linking the capital Port Blair with northern districts such as Rangat and Diglipur, making it a vital economic and mobility lifeline for the islands. Originally conceived and constructed in the early 1970s under the GREF and PWD, the 330 km road was handed over to NHIDCL in 2017 with reconstruction work commencing in 2018.
While the stretch between Chidiyatapu and Jirkatang was completed in 2023, the remaining segment from Jirkatang to Diglipur has seen little progress. Multiple contractors have been replaced, and project milestones repeatedly shifted. Large portions of the existing road have been dug up, leaving it unmotorable and causing immense hardship for passengers, goods transporters, and patients requiring medical care.
Despite repeated reminders, protests, and earlier demonstrations including road blockades and ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’, the NHIDCL failed to show tangible progress, compelling the Congress Party to organize today’s demonstration.
During the course of the protest, a dialogue was held between Congress representatives and NHIDCL officials, including the General Manager, as well as senior officers from the Administration and Police. The NHIDCL General Manager assured that all remaining stretches between Jirkatang and Diglipur would be completed and made fully motorable by 2026, and that patchwork repairs would begin immediately to ensure temporary relief.
They also placed a banana tree in the pothole as a form of protest to draw attention to the poor road conditions.
The NHIDCL Officials have requested 07 days to provide written assurance to the general public, failing which the Congress Party has warned to organize a larger chakka jam.
The assurance was formally acknowledged by the Additional District Magistrate, N&M Andaman, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, present at the site.
The protest remained peaceful and disciplined, and the Congress Party expressed gratitude to the residents of North and Middle Andaman for their overwhelming participation and support.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Rangalal Halder, President ANTCC and Shri. TSG Bhasker, Chairman Campaign Committee- ANTCC thanked all party cadres, citizens, and the local mediapersons for their active involvement in highlighting this long-pending issue and amplifying the voice of the people.
The Congress Party reiterated its commitment to continue monitoring the project’s progress until the Andaman Trunk Road is fully restored and safe for all commuters.