Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 28: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A & N Islands during the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) had taken up the matter of upgrading six State Highways to National Highways as it has numerous benefits. Acting on his request, six key State Highways in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands were accorded principal approval for declaring the same as National Highways (NH) in 2017. For these road projects the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) was entrusted to the APWD, A&N Administration vide MoRTH’s letter No. NH-14014/187/2015-P&M dated 6th July 2017.

The roads which were considered for NH up-gradation are 1. Jetty Hut Bay RK Pur to VK Pur (SH – 1) in Little Andaman – 22 kms, 2. Havelock Jetty to Ramagar Beach (SH -4) - 11 kms, 3. Govindnagar Jn to Kalapather (Havelock)- 09 km 4. Neil Jetty to Sitapur (Neil Island) - 04 kms, 5. Kalara Junction to Ramnagar (SH-14), Diglipur - 20 kms, 6. Diglipur Bazar (NH4) to Hatilevel (SH-15) -24.70 kms.                

As the scenario changed after 2019 Lok Sabha elections the monitoring on the projects did not happen. Thereby the six newly sanctioned National Highway roads did not see any progress. The DPRs could not be finalized and no steps were taken to advance these crucial projects. The people of the region, who had pinned their hopes on these road upgrades for improved connectivity and development, have been eagerly awaiting its implementation.

To press the revival of the projects, the MP today met Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India in the Parliament and requested him to renew the proposal of upgradation of the said 06 roads.

The MP further urged the Minister to direct the A&N Administration to expedite the preparation and submission of the DPRs to the Ministry for early sanction and execution.

The Minister immediately directed the concerned Secretary to expedite the actions for implementation of approved projects, MP informed.

The MP has further observed that the completion of the 6 NH road projects will be a significant step forward in addressing the region’s infrastructure needs and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.