Billiground | January 21, 2026
Tarun Karthick
A chakka jam is currently underway at Billiground on National Highway-4 (NH-4), with residents of North and Middle Andaman District staging a protest against the prolonged delay in the execution of highway work. The agitation is being led by the Citizen Forum Billiground, which had earlier announced an indefinite strike and road blockade after submitting a formal representation to the authorities outlining its demands.
The ongoing blockade, which began earlier today, has brought vehicular movement on the crucial highway to a halt, disrupting passenger and goods traffic between the northern parts of the islands and Sri Vijaya Puram. Protesters have occupied the roadway, raising slogans and displaying placards highlighting years of hardship caused by the deteriorated condition of NH-4.
According to the organisers, the present chakka jam follows an official letter and ultimatum submitted earlier to the district administration and NHIDCL, in which the Forum had clearly laid out its demands and warned of protest in the absence of concrete action. The Forum has stated that the agitation is a result of repeated delays and lack of transparency despite prior written communication.
Demands Formally Communicated to Authorities:
As stated in the earlier representation submitted to the authorities, the Citizen Forum Billiground has demanded immediate initiation of blacktop road construction on NH-4, priority execution of the Thoraktang–Panighat Bridge stretch, and disclosure of all records related to project progress, funds released and construction materials available at project sites.
The Forum has further demanded that any discussion on the issue be held only with senior NHIDCL officials not below the rank of Executive Director, along with the General Manager, and that the Deputy Commissioner personally remain present at the dharna site to hear public grievances.
Terming these demands as primary and non-negotiable, the Forum has made it clear in its communication that explanations citing tender delays, seasonal constraints or shortage of materials will not be accepted. It has also stated that the ongoing strike, chakka jam and any subsequent forms of protest, including a possible hunger strike, will remain peaceful, democratic and non-violent, but firm and continuous.
Situation on the Ground
Police personnel have been deployed at Billiground to maintain law and order and regulate the situation. Emergency vehicles are reportedly being allowed to pass on humanitarian grounds, while normal vehicular movement on NH-4 remains suspended as of the filing of this report.
As of now, no official response has been issued by the administration or NHIDCL to the demands raised earlier through the official letter or to the ongoing chakka jam.
