Your complete resource for navigating the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Lifeline of the Andaman Islands
The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), officially designated as National Highway 4 (NH-4) and also known as the Great Andaman Trunk Road, stretches 333 kilometers, linking Chidyatapu in the south to Diglipur in the north. This major roadway is vital for transportation, commerce, and tourism across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) upgrade project is a comprehensive initiative to improve connectivity and safety across the islands. Here are the key details:
Constructed during the 1970s to improve inter-island connectivity, the ATR has historically opened up access for settlers and tourists — but also raised concerns about the impact on indigenous communities like the Jarawa tribe.
The road passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, a protected area, leading to legal and environmental challenges. The Supreme Court had once ordered sections passing through the reserve to be closed, though they currently remain open for commercial and tourist traffic, fueling ongoing debates about tribal welfare and environmental preservation.
Despite court rulings, the ATR continues to operate, with concerns lingering about the Jarawa tribe's exposure to external influences and associated health risks.
In addition to road resurfacing, efforts by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways include bridging several creeks to ensure uninterrupted, all-weather connectivity, through initiatives like the Creek Bridges Project.
Connecting the islands of Andaman and Nicobar
Inter-island ferry schedules across the Andaman Islands are primarily managed by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), part of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, along with private operators like Makruzz and Nautika. Ferries link major islands such as Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and Long Island, making travel across the archipelago convenient and accessible.
Route | Frequency | Duration |
---|---|---|
Port Blair ↔ Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | Frequent daily services | 2-2.5 hours |
Port Blair ↔ Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) | Daily sailings | 1.5-2 hours |
Port Blair ↔ Long Island | Few times a week | 3-4 hours |
Port Blair ↔ Rangat | Several times a week | 6-7 hours |
Port Blair ↔ Diglipur | Twice a week | 10-12 hours |
The gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Veer Savarkar International Airport (VSIA), located in Port Blair, is the primary airport serving the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Named after the Indian freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, it acts as a vital air link between the Islands and Mainland India.
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Original airstrip established during British colonial period
Airport officially inaugurated as Port Blair Airport
Renamed as Veer Savarkar International Airport
New terminal construction begins
New integrated terminal building inaugurated
Destination | Airline | Frequency | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Chennai | IndiGo, Air India | Daily (3-4 flights) | 2h 10m |
Kolkata | IndiGo, Vistara | Daily (2-3 flights) | 2h |
Bangalore | IndiGo | Daily | 2h 30m |
Hyderabad | IndiGo | 5 times/week | 2h 15m |
Delhi | Air India | Daily | 3h 30m |