Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 January 2025
Responding to the long-standing grievances of residents, the Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, accompanied by his team, visited Lamba Pahad, Sippighat on 20th January 2025, to inspect the area and understand the issues surrounding the prolonged delay in land conversion. The visit was conducted at the behest of Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (MP), A&N Islands, who was also present during the inspection.
The delegation toured the plotting sites and engaged with residents to hear their concerns about the stalled land conversion process, which has affected over 600 plots in the area. The residents shared their plight, explaining that many of them purchased the land in 2014 using their life savings, pensions, and personal loans, with the hope of developing it into residential plots. However, their plans have been hindered due to the suspension of the conversion process since 2018.
Most of the affected residents are inter-island settlers and retired government employees who bought the land to secure housing for their families and support their children’s education and health needs. While the mutation of the plots in their names has been completed, the lack of conversion into residential house sites has left them unable to access bank loans for construction.
The residents further informed the Chief Secretary that the plotting was conducted with a 6-meter-wide area designated for roads, which had been set apart by the revenue authority as per procedure. Additionally, essential infrastructure, including electricity connections, ring wells, and water supply, is already in place. Despite these developments, the conversion process remains at a standstill.
During the visit, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray highlighted the broader impact of the issue, pointing out that similar delays are affecting thousands of families across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He emphasized the urgent need for a resolution to alleviate the hardships faced by residents.
MP informed that he would submit a detailed letter to the Chief Secretary, urging prompt examination and action to address the land conversion problem comprehensively.
This site visit marks a significant step in bringing attention to the issue, and residents are hopeful for a swift resolution.