Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 04 November 2025
The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) has strongly criticized the ongoing construction and maintenance work of the National Highway-4 (NH-4), alleging large-scale corruption, use of substandard materials, and negligence by the authorities. The statements came during a press conference addressed by Mr. T.S.G. Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of ANTCC, and, Mr. Tamil Selvam, Spokesperson of ANTCC following the Congress-led Chakka Jam protest held at Rangat Bazaar on November 1, 2025.
“Chakka Jam Was a People’s Movement, Not Political” – TSG Bhasker
Addressing the media, Mr. Tamil Selvam thanked the people and media for their overwhelming participation in the Chakka Jam despite heavy rainfall. He said the protest at Rangat was not a spontaneous act but the culmination of years of representations, memoranda, and protests by the Congress demanding urgent repair and completion of the NH-4.
“For the past five years, the Congress has consistently raised the NH-4 issue through memoranda to the Lt. Governor, Prime Minister, and Union Ministers. We organized protests at Port Blair, public meetings at Tiranga Park, ‘Raj Niwas Chalo’ marches, and even ‘Jail Bharo Andolan.’ Yet, no meaningful action has been taken,” Selvam said.
He added that the persistent inaction forced the Congress to organize the Chakka Jam at Rangat, where more than a thousand people from various parts of the Islands participated.
“Road and Public Money Both Stolen,” Says Bhasker
Mr. T.S.G. Bhasker, who led the protest along with the Pradesh Congress President Mr. Rangalal Halder, accused the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and its contractors of gross corruption. He said Congress has already filed complaints at Baratang and Rangat police stations alleging that both the road and the public funds “have been stolen.”
“Our road is gone, our ₹3500 crore is gone. The highway project is full of corruption. We have collected samples of the materials used and will get them tested both locally and on the mainland. The material being used is of third-grade quality, procured locally instead of the approved sources from the mainland,” Bhasker claimed.
He revealed that NHIDCL officials and local administrators, including the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and Assistant Commissioner of Mayabunder, visited the protest site and assured that the highway would be fully repaired by June 2026. However, Bhasker said the Congress demanded this assurance in writing within seven days—by November 8, 2025—failing which the party would launch a larger agitation.
Both leaders shared accounts of deteriorating road conditions, frequent vehicle breakdowns, and near-fatal accidents due to poor maintenance. “The NH-4 has turned into a death trap. Vehicles break down frequently, and lives are at risk. This road, instead of serving the people, is now taking lives,” Bhasker said emotionally.
Mr. Selvam added that even in stretches between Jirkatang and Middle Strait declared ‘completed,’ 5–10 km portions have already been severely damaged.
During the conference, Bhasker also raised the issue of restrictions on the Chatham Bridge in Sri Vijaya Puram. He questioned why all traffic except two-wheelers have been banned on the bridge while heavy cranes are still being allowed. “Recently, a 140-ton crane was carried over the same bridge. If that is allowed, why are ordinary citizens suffering? The administration must at least allow three-wheelers for the public’s convenience,” he said.
He appealed to the media to visit Chatham Bridge and speak with the affected commuters. “You will see people with children walking long distances because no vehicles are allowed. It’s inhuman,” he remarked.
The Congress leadership stated that if NHIDCL and the administration fail to provide a written assurance on the NH-4 repair timeline by November 8, the party will announce its next plan of action, which they hinted would be a major agitation.
“This is not about politics; it’s about people’s suffering. The elderly, patients, and commuters are all victims of this neglect. If the assurance is not kept, we will intensify the movement in a much larger form,” Bhasker concluded.
The NH-4 connects Sri Vijaya Puram to Diglipur via Baratang, Rangat, and Mayabunder. It serves as the lifeline for the North and Middle Andaman regions. The project, being executed by NHIDCL, has faced repeated delays and complaints over poor quality and corruption in recent years.
