Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 30 July 2024
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, recently met with Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, the Honourable Union Minister of Power, to seek urgent assistance in addressing the ongoing power crisis in the region. Mr. Ray submitted a detailed three-page letter highlighting the severe issues plaguing the Islands’ power supply.
In his letter, Mr. Ray emphasised that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, home to fewer than 600,000 residents, have been suffering from chronic power shortages for many years. Daily power cuts, lasting from half an hour to 45 minutes, have become a common occurrence in Port Blair, the capital city and a popular tourist destination. These disruptions sometimes extend for longer periods, exacerbating the residents’ struggles and affecting the local economy.
Mr. Ray pointed out that Port Blair relies heavily on private companies operating small diesel generators to supply power to the main grid. Despite this arrangement, there remains a significant power deficit in the Islands. The average power requirement for Port Blair is approximately 45 MW, but the combined output from all available sources, including the government’s 4 MW plants, falls short of this demand.
The power crisis is not confined to Port Blair alone; it affects all populated islands in the territory. Mr. Ray also highlighted that the 33 KV and 11 KV tie lines in Port Blair are outdated and in dire need of an upgrade to mitigate the frequent power cuts.
While expressing support for the proposal to lay undersea power cables connecting Islands to the national grid, Mr. Ray noted that this long-term solution could take years to implement. In the meantime, he called for an immediate, intermediate solution through expert intervention. He suggested the consideration of a suitably sized nuclear power generator to meet the Islands’ needs.
Additionally, Mr. Ray stressed the importance of reviving and upgrading the Superintending Engineer (SE) post to Chief Engineer (CE) in the Electricity Department. He also urged for regular training and exposure for the department’s engineers to advanced technological developments in the power sector, which he believes the ministry should facilitate.
Mr. Ray’s appeal to the Union Power Minister underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to resolve the persistent power crisis in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for its residents and the region’s continued growth.