Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 10 October 2023
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd. (ANIIDCO), a government-owned company which operates several petrol pumps and outlets across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, refuses to accept payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
ANIIDCO plays a vital role in supplying petroleum products to many rural areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, often holding a monopoly in the distribution of Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) products in these regions. One of its prominent petrol pumps is situated in the Junglighat Area of Port Blair, strategically positioned to serve a significant number of consumers on a daily basis. This particular outlet operates 24/7, catering to the needs of consumers, even during emergencies or late-night hours.
Given its status as a government-owned entity, ANIIDCO was expected to be at the forefront of adopting India’s revolutionary UPI payment system. However, it has raised eyebrows by continuing to decline UPI payments from its customers, even as the rest of the country has enthusiastically embraced this modern payment method.
The Junglighat petrol pump operated by ANIIDCO does accept card payments, but it steadfastly refuses to accommodate UPI transactions, leaving many customers puzzled by the disparity in payment options.
The situation becomes more perplexing in light of the significant improvements in internet connectivity, particularly mobile internet, following the operationalisation of the CANI submarine cable in the region. This development has ushered in a digital transformation in many parts of the islands. In fact, UPI payments are now widely accepted in various areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For example, shopkeepers in Gandhi Nagar, one of the southernmost villages in India, have shown a clear preference for UPI payments over traditional cash transactions.
Customers favour UPI payments due to the speed, convenience, and user-friendly nature. Consequently, the reluctance of ANIIDCO POL outlets to embrace this modern payment method has left residents and visitors to the islands puzzled and frustrated.