Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 28: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has welcomed the intervention of Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, regarding the slow progress of the ongoing National Highway-4 works between Baratang and Shibpur, Diglipur, including the construction of the bridge between Middle Strait and Baratang.
Responding to the concerns raised by Shri Bishnu Pada Ray before him on 05.06.2025, Shri Gadkari, has reviewed the matter and informed the MP through DO letter dated 21.08.2025 about the current status, reasons for delay, and the revised timelines for completion of various stretches/packages of the project. He has also directed NHIDCL authorities and contractors to strictly adhere to the revised schedules to ensure safety and convenience of commuters.
Regarding the Baratang bridge, Shri Gadkari informed that the earlier contract was terminated on 06.06.2023 due to poor progress. A new contract was awarded on 07.05.2025, and the contractor has since mobilized fully at the site with piling works in progress. The project is now targeted for completion by 31.12.2026. The Hon’ble Minister has also fixed the following revised timelines for completion of NH-4 works:
1. Baratang Bridge – 31.12.2026
2. Package III-A (Baratang to Police Checkpost-15, Adajig, Kadamtala) – 31.03.2026
3. Package III-B (Police Checkpost-15, Kadamtala to Rangat Fire Station) – 31.03.2026
4. Package IV (Thoratang to Austin-II, Mayabunder) – 31.12.2025
5. Package II (Austin-II, Mayabunder to Kalara Junction) – 31.12.2025
6. Package VIII (Kalara Junction to Lamya Bay, Diglipur) – 31.12.2025
While acknowledging the delays, Shri Gadkari Hon’ble Union Minister emphasized that the revision of timelines was necessitated by unavoidable circumstances, including the unusually early onset of the monsoon in April 2025. He has assured that strict instructions have already been issued to NHIDCL to complete the works within the revised deadlines.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray further recalled that during his tenure as MP in the 16th Lok Sabha, with his persistent efforts and close monitoring, the NH-4 works from Chidiyatapu to Middle Strait, including the Uttara Bridge, were completed on time. However, due to lack of consistent follow-up and monitoring by concerned elected representatives including responsible political organisations associated with the social activities for the public well being during the 17th Lok Sabha, the construction of the Baratang Bridge and other stretches from Baratang to Lamya Bay suffered delays, causing hardship to daily commuters of North & Middle Andaman and South Andaman.
However, at the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray took keen interest in the matter, brought it to the attention of Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, and ensured his visit and review meeting at Raj Niwas on 28.12.2024. Following this, timelines were fixed, and stagnated works were restarted.
Expressing his gratitude, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble MP said, “I sincerely thank Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji for his personal intervention, fixing strict timelines, and directing NHIDCL and concerned officials to expedite the completion of NH-4 stretches and the Baratang Bridge. This will bring much-needed relief to the people of North & Middle Andaman, who have been facing severe hardship due to the deplorable road conditions.”