Sri Vijaya Puram | January 12, 2026
by Tarun Karthick
After a wait of more than two decades, the Gram Panchayat (GP) Laxmi Nagar—the southernmost panchayat of the country—has finally received a permanent office building, marking a significant milestone in local governance.
The newly constructed office building of GP Laxmi Nagar was inaugurated on January 11, 2026, by Dr. Apurva Sharma, DANICS, Director (RD/PRI/Panchayats). The earlier panchayat office had been completely destroyed during the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, forcing the panchayat to function from temporary and makeshift arrangements for over 21 years.
Following the tsunami, the GP office initially operated from a rented premises before being shifted to a community hall at Joginder Nagar village. With the completion of the new infrastructure, the panchayat has now moved into a permanent, double-storey, modern office building located at Laxmi Nagar village, approximately 24 kilometres south of Campbell Bay along the North–South Road.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. E. S. Rajesh, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Campbell Bay; Ms. Leela Bathi, Zilla Parishad Member, Laxmi Nagar; Mr. Sekhar Rai, Block Development Officer, CD Block Campbell Bay; and Mr. Prahlad Singh, Pradhan, GP Laxmi Nagar. Other panchayat functionaries, ward members and local residents were also present on the occasion.
Speaking to Nicobar Times, GP Laxmi Nagar Pradhan, Mr. Prahlad Singh said that the newly built office is a modern double-storey structure equipped with essential facilities, including separate offices for the Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and Panchayat Secretary, a conference hall, store room, watchman room and other supporting amenities. He added that the new building would greatly improve administrative efficiency and service delivery for residents of the panchayat.
Mr. Prahlad further noted that GP Laxmi Nagar has emerged as a focal point of development in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as several components of the strategically significant Great Nicobar Island Project are located within the panchayat area and its surroundings. The new office building, he said, will play a crucial role in supporting governance and coordination amid the growing development activities in the region.
The inauguration of the permanent panchayat office stands as a symbol of resilience and renewed institutional strength for one of the country’s most remote and strategically important panchayats.
