Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 1: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, during the visit of Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, to Sri Vijayapuram, had prominently highlighted before him on 28.12.2024 that due to the limited UT budget under the capital head, it would not be possible to create or improve vital infrastructure, particularly the repair and renovation of roads across the A&N Islands including the Municipal areas, without financial assistance from the Centre under the CRIF scheme.
Taking cognizance of his sincere submission, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister, immediately assured his support and during review meeting held at Raj Niwas on 28.12.2024 directed the A&N Administration to prepare and submit detailed estimates. Acting swiftly, the A&N Administration prepared and submitted road proposals for repairs, renovation and upgradation in the Municipal area and other rural area under APWD divisions in April and July 2025.
To further accelerate the process, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble MP, personally pursued the matter with Shri Nitin Gadkari and apprised him about the pendency of the proposals submitted by the UT Administration as directed. Responding positively, the Hon’ble Minister accorded his in-principle approval on the spot on 07/08/2025 and in a landmark decision, conveyed the formal sanction order to the A&N Administration on 28th August 2025 for 90 road works including 49 works covering all 24 Municipal Wards and 41 works under APWD Divisions (CD-III Prothrapur – 5 works, RCD Wimberlygunj – 29 works, MID Hut Bay – 05 works and CD Campbell Bay – 02 works) at a total estimated cost of Rs. 4998.69 lakhs (say Rs.50 crores).
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble MP, has placed on record his deepest sense of gratitude and heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the people of A&N Islands to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, for his visionary leadership and benevolent support. He has also conveyed sincere thanks to the A&N Administration for their prompt efforts in preparing and submitting the required proposals.
Further, Hon’ble Member of Parliament has earnestly appealed to the A&N Administration to expedite submission of the remaining road proposals pertaining to North & Middle Andaman and other left-out areas at the earliest so that similar sanctions can be secured in a time-bound manner. He has also assured the people of the Islands that he will continue to vigorously pursue these projects with the Ministry until their sanction and execution under CRIF is ensured.