Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 9: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has once again urged the Central Government to enhance the Union Territory’s Budget under the Revised Estimates (RE) and Budget Estimates (BE), and to sanction a special grant of ₹5,000 crore for essential infrastructure development across the Islands.
In his communication addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, and Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the MP highlighted that the present allocations especially under the Capital Head are insufficient to meet the pressing infrastructural needs of this remote island territory. The funds are urgently required for improving and expanding key civic and rural infrastructure, including:
· Construction, repair and upgradation of rural and urban roads, State Highways, municipal roads, bridges, culverts and high drains.
· Strengthening assets of PRIs and Municipal Councils.
· Construction of retaining/protection walls in vulnerable areas.
· Development of sports fields, community assets and other public utilities.
· Creation of water storage structures/dams and replacement of old pipelines to address water scarcity.
The MP pointed out that although the Ministry of Home Affairs had forwarded his earlier request to the UT Administration, the Administration’s response dated 19.11.2025 did not include any proposal regarding the requested one-time special grant of ₹5,000 crore, despite acknowledging the need for more funds under both Revenue and Capital Heads.
The MP also expressed serious concern that the Capital allocation in the recent budgets has not been enhanced, and in certain cases has even been reduced, despite growing demands from PRIs, Municipal Councils and the general public.
He further highlighted that with the expansion of the Sri Vijayapuram Municipal Council from 18 to 24 wards in 2015 without any additional financial support both the municipality and the 70 Gram Panchayats are struggling to maintain roads, drains and other civic infrastructure, especially in the newly added areas where conditions remain extremely poor.
Given the Islands’ geographical challenges, limited local resources and increasing tourism potential, the MP emphasized that a special grant of ₹5,000 crore is essential to upgrade core public infrastructure and drive sustainable development.
Therefore, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray requested the Central Government to:
1. Review and enhance allocations under RE 2025–26 and BE 2026–27, especially the Capital Head.
2. Sanction the special grant of ₹5,000 crore, to be released in phases, and direct the UT Administration to prepare an action plan for effective utilisation.
The MP reiterated that the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are hopeful of the Central Government’s continued support for the overall welfare and development of the region.