Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju visited Flag Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, on Saturday, 20 June 2026, as part of the Pragati Padh Yatra — a ministerial outreach programme to inspect on-ground progress of central development schemes across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The visit was aimed at reviewing developmental works undertaken over the past 12 years under the Modi government.

Context

Rijiju shared photographs from the visit on social media, stating that the 'transformation witnessed across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflects the Modi Government's unwavering commitment to development, connectivity and improving the lives of the people.' The post was tagged under #12YearsOfSeva, a BJP-led campaign marking a dozen years of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Sri Vijaya Puram, the administrative capital of the Union Territory, has served as the focal point for multiple rounds of infrastructure reviews by central ministers in recent years.

Policy Backdrop

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been a priority zone for central infrastructure spending since 2014, with projects spanning road connectivity, port modernisation, and digital infrastructure. The Sagarmala Project, launched in 2015, specifically targeted maritime connectivity upgrades including facilities in the islands. Between 2016 and 2020, the government approved airport expansion works and a submarine optical fibre cable project to reduce the islands' isolation from the mainland — a move that benefited both civilian users and defence establishments based in the territory.

The islands hold considerable strategic significance in the eastern Indian Ocean, making connectivity investment a dual-purpose exercise — civilian welfare alongside defence readiness. The broader Act East framework has consistently positioned the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a gateway to Southeast Asia, reinforcing the rationale for sustained infrastructure outlays.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of the development push include island residents, who have seen improved access to digital services, transport links, and administrative infrastructure. Defence forces stationed in the archipelago also benefit from upgraded port and airfield facilities that support operational readiness. Tourism, a key economic pillar for the islands, has likewise gained from better connectivity and civic amenities developed over the reviewed period.

The Pragati Padh Yatra format — where senior ministers conduct field visits to assess scheme implementation — signals the government's intent to maintain visible accountability on project delivery, particularly in remote Union Territories where oversight has historically been limited.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the next phase of port and airport capacity upgrades in the islands, with stakeholders watching for any related budgetary allocations in the forthcoming parliamentary session. Rijiju's visit, coming at the 12-year mark of the Modi government, is likely to feed into a broader political narrative around infrastructure delivery ahead of future electoral cycles. Whether the review translates into fresh project announcements or accelerated timelines for pending works remains to be seen.