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Bridge of Promises, Pillars of Neglect

To preserve the aesthetic appeal, the above old photo has been sourced from ANDAMANTOURISM.ORG.IN. - K Yadagiri Rao Port Blair, July 23: If someone asks us the exact meaning of the phrase "from bad to worse," we now have a glaring example - the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge. What was once promised as the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge during election campaigns has now deteriorated into a crisis surrounding the Haddo to Chatham Bridge itself. The Government had assured the public of constructing a bridge connecting Chatham to Bambooflat, as part of election promises. But in reality, it has even failed to maintain the existing Haddo - Chatham Bridge. A headline in Andaman Sheekha dated February 16, 2015, reads - "Nitin Gadkari promises crucial bridges for Andamans: Work for construction of Bambooflat - Chatham Bridge within 8 months: Gadkari." Ironically today, authorities are only allowing two-wheelers to pass on the approximately 150-meter-long Haddo - Chatham Bridge...

Digital Governance Thrives, Local Print Media Dies! No Clarity on What, Where, How, or for Whom the Works Are

- K Yadagiri Rao Port Blair, July 09: Over the past decade, the Government of India, through the Digital India initiative, has largely succeeded in transforming most systems into digital ventures, such as eProcurement, GeM, and other online platforms, even within administrative and general communication systems, increasingly relying on social media platforms. However, amid this digital shift, the general public remains largely unaware of the ongoing developmental works around them. Departments across various sectors now invite bids for supply, construction, and maintenance solely through platforms like eProcurement, GeM, and similar portals, without publishing notifications in newspapers or any other public domain. As a result, only the bidders and concerned department officials are informed about what is being procured, when it is happening, and who is executing the work. In many municipal wards and panchayats, people are left clueless about where to report issues, whom to conta...

Tribals in Great Nicobar not against development but lack info about mega project: NCST member

New Delhi: Tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about a proposed mega infrastructure project on the island, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) member Asha Lakra has said. The project, titled Holistic Development of Great Nicobar, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 sq. km of land. This includes around 130 sq. km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. In an interview with PTI, Ms. Lakra said she led an NCST team to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from June 5 to 7 to review the issues faced by the tribal communities. She said the Commission held a detailed meeting with representatives of all tribal groups, including the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Nicobarese and Shompens...

Local Newspapers in A&N Islands Struggle for Survival Amid Digital Shift

- K Yadagiri Rao Port Blair, June 25: The print media in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is facing an existential crisis as the digital transformation of government communication pushes traditional newspapers to the margins. Once considered the Fourth Estate of democracy, local newspapers are now on the brink of collapse, receiving little to no support from the public, local administration, or even the Central Government. Over the past decade, the NDA government has adopted a digital-first approach, promoting citizen engagement through official online portals and platforms such as Twitter / X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. These tools have facilitated direct communication between the public and various ministries, but at the cost of sidelining mainstream media, especially print. Local journalists, many of whom have devoted their lives to reporting from the grassroots, now find themselves without a viable livelihood. "We entered the field to strengthen democracy, but toda...

The Gap Between Promise and Reality in Power Supply Across Andaman & Nicobar Islands

- K Yadagiri Rao Sri Vijaya Puram, June 4: The people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to endure significant inconvenience and financial losses due to the irregular and inadequate electricity supply provided by the Electricity Department. Despite repeated assurances and policy commitments by the Government of India, uninterrupted and quality power remains a distant dream for island residents. Electricity is vital for modern life, empowering households, businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. It illuminates homes, fuels appliances, and sustains operations across all sectors. However, in South Andaman, the erratic power supply is causing widespread disruption in daily life and economic activities. "There's no fixed schedule for power cuts-day, night, midnight, early morning, evening-you name it. Hours-long blackouts are frequent, and many of our electronic appliances have been damaged. Who is responsible for compensating us for these los...

United States National Arrested for Unauthorized Visit to North Sentinel Island

- K Yadagiri Rao Port Blair, April 02: A United States national has been arrested for illegally attempting to access the highly restricted North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The accused, identified as Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, son of Victor Polyakov, and a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, was taken into custody following an investigation by local authorities. According to official sources, the case was registered based on a complaint filed by the Tribal Welfare Officer under PS Crime & Economic Offences FIR No. 10/25 dated March 31, 2025. The charges have been framed under Sections 14 and 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, read with paragraph 3 of the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, along with Sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Aboriginal Tribes (PAT) Amendment Regulation, 2012, an official press release says. Violation of Strict Restrictions North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world's last un...

The Biggest Drug Haul in the Maritime History: Myanmarese Fishing boat with approx. 6000 kgs of prohibited drug 'Methamphetamine' apprehended by ANC in Andaman Sea

- K Yadagiri Rao Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 27: It was a significant achievement in our nationís fight against the ongoing illegal drug trade with the seizure of the huge quantity of illegal drugs by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) of Andaman Nicobar Command in Andaman Seas creating history in the maritime domain in India. Based on an input, Andaman Nicobar Command took an operation on Nov. 25 and apprehended a Myanmarese Fishing boat named "Soe Wai Yan Htoo" in Andaman seas which was carrying approx. 6000 kgs of prohibited drug Methamphetamine. The six crew members, who were identified as Myanmarese nationals onboard the Fishing vessel were also apprehended, said the Commander-in-Chief ANC, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM while interacting with the mediapersons at HQ ANC here today. The press conference was also addressed by the DGP, A&N Islands, Shri Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS. Addressing the press conference, the CINCAN stated that this operation stands as the tes...

Security Risks Loom Over A&N Islands Due to Compromised Intelligence Among Officials

- K Yadagiri Rao Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 13: The local island community is well aware that, in many instances, our external security agencies remain uninformed about illegal poaching activities unless alerted by fishermen or the general public regarding suspicious occurrences in the jungles or along the shores. Additionally, immigrants arriving by ships or flights from Bangladesh via West Bengal and other mainland Indian states often enter these islands for contractual work, with authorities frequently losing track of their whereabouts. For example, in May 2024, due to a surge in crime rates and concerns that anti-social elements may be hiding within residential or commercial areas in the South Andaman District and North & Middle Andaman District, authorities issued orders under Section 144 of the Cr.P.C. for compulsory tenant verification as an emergency measure. This action underscores serious questions about the efficiency of internal security agencies on the islands. Meanwh...

Successful Surgery Gives New Life to 2.5-Year-Old Girl Born Without Properly Formed Food Pipe

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 30: A 2.5-year-old girl, born with a congenital condition where her esophagus (food pipe) was not properly formed, has successfully undergone a highly specialized surgery at ANIIMS (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences). Immediately after birth, a team of ANIIMS surgeons performed emergency surgery, placing a feeding tube in her abdomen through the stomach to ensure she could receive nutrition. For over two and a half years, the child was fed through this tube, enabling her to gain adequate weight in preparation for a reconstructive surgery to create a functioning food pipe. On September 25, 2024, a complex surgery was performed to create a new esophagus for the child. During the procedure: The artificial feeding tube was removed, and the opening in the stomach was closed; A tunnel was created in the chest, and the stomach was carefully separated from surrounding organs; Using the blood supply from key arteries, the stomach was elevated be...