Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 1 July 2023
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] has called upon the Government of India to take immediate action regarding the power crisis in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In a letter submitted to the Secretary (Power), Government of India, D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee, emphasized the need for a high-level technical delegation to investigate the causes of the ongoing power shortages.
During his recent visit to Delhi, Ayyappan expressed concerns over the frequent power cuts lasting 5 to 6 hours daily in various parts of the South Andaman, North Andaman, and Middle Andaman Districts. He highlighted the current power generation methods, including diesel generation, solar power, and hydroelectric generation in Diglipur, North Andaman.
Ayyappan pointed out that both the Electricity Department of the A & N Administration and private firms are involved in power generation in the Islands. However, he stated that mismanagement, chaos, and unplanned implementation have plagued the power sector, resulting in severe disruptions to the power supply for Island residents.
The CPI (M) Secretary conveyed that the power crisis has persisted for several years and worsened in recent times, even affecting students during their board examinations. Despite the promises of mega projects made by the Prime Minister in 2018, the situation remains dire, impacting businesses and shopkeepers who rely on a stable power supply.
Ayyappan highlighted the lack of explanations provided by the Electricity Department for the intermittent power cuts. He referred to a proposal submitted by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to the Ministry of Power, urging the Secretary (Power) to grant approval for the revival of departmental power houses in the Islands.
The CPI (M) has called for urgent measures to increase power generation and alleviate the hardships faced by the Islanders. They await the Government’s response to their demands for a high-level technical delegation to address the power crisis and bring about sustainable solutions for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.