Demands Expediting the Projects for Development of A&N Islands

Port Blair, March 22: The Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma on Monday (21-03-2022) during the budget session of Parliament raised demands for Grants concerning the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The MP had put forth the following demands before the Ministry:

1) Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge:

DPR is being prepared for a bridge worth Rs. 2,000 Cr to connect Chatham Island and Bambooflat Island. The ground works for the proposed Chatham- Bambooflat Bridge, which was on halt since the last two years, has now resumed, bringing fresh hopes for the Islanders. NHIDCL further added that the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the progress of DPR preparation.

NHIDCL has stated that DPR preparation has been paced up immediately after receiving NoC from the Indian Navy and that NHIDCL is making all efforts to finalize the DPR for necessary sanction from MoRTH. The MP requested the Government to speed up the construction of this bridge, which has already been delayed.

2) Construction of Alternate Highway along the Coastal Line:

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands has immense tourism potential and being an Island there are limited modes of connectivity. The MP requested the Minister to consider construction of an alternate Coastal Highway between Port Blair and Diglipur along the coastal line which will further contribute to the development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

3) Bridge from Minnie Bay to Mithakhari:

Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma requested the Minister to approve and speed up the work for construction of Bridge between Minnie Bay and Mithakhari in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for promoting tourism and connectivity.

4)  Middle Strait Creek Bridge:

Middle Strait Creek Bridge for Rs 262.97 crore was also sanctioned in 2017 and the construction has still not been completed. The MP demanded speedy construction of the said bridge.