Port Blair, 22 March 2022
Rohit Kumar
The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma on Monday (21-03-2022) during the budget session of Parliament raised demands concerning the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Parliamentary constituency during the discussion on Demand for Grants concerning the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
Mr. Sharma put forth the following demands before the Ministry:
- Chatham Bambooflat Bridge:
DPR is being prepared for a bridge worth Rs. 2,000 Cr to connect Chatham Island and Bambooflat island. The ground work for the proposed Chatham- Bambooflat Bridge, which was on halt for the last two years, has now resumed, bringing fresh hopes for the Islanders. NHIDCL further added that the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the progress of DPR preparation.
NHIDCL has stated that DPR preparation has been paced up immediately after receiving NoC from the Indian Navy and that NHIDCL is making all efforts to finalise the DPR for necessary sanction from MoRTH. Mr. Sharma requested the Government to speed up the construction of this bridge which has been delayed.
2. Construction of Alternate Highway along the Coast Line :
Andaman & Nicobar Islands has immense tourism potential and being an Island there are limited modes of connectivity within the Islands as well. Mr. Sharma requested the Minister to consider the construction of an alternate coastal highway between Port Blair and Diglipur along the coastline which will further contribute to the development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
3. Bridge from Minnie Bay to Mithakhari :
Mr. Sharma requested the Minister to approve and speed up the work for the construction of Bridge between Minnie Bay and Mithakhari in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for promoting tourism and connectivity.
4. Middle Strait Creek Bridge :
Middle Strait Creek Bridge for Rs 262.97 crore was also sanctioned in 2017 and the construction has still not completed. Mr. Sharma demanded speedy construction of the said bridge.