Dweep Tulika

  A developed India cannot be a promise for tomorrow. Citizens need to experience measurable progress today. For years, Indians have been asked to look towards the future. 2047 has become one of the country's defining development milestones — the year India aims to complete 100 years of independence as a developed nation. There is nothing wrong with having an ambitious national goal. The question is what happens between now and then . An Indian citizen living in 2026 does not live in 2047. That citizen pays taxes today. Pays GST today. Pays electricity bills, transport costs, school fees and medical expenses today. So the legitimate question is simple: Why should citizens have to wait until 2047 to experience the basic standards of a modern, efficient country? The world is already moving Technology is moving rapidly from laboratories into everyday life. Autonomous vehicles are being deployed in some markets. Drone technology is moving towards increasingly practical co...

Port Blair: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Andaman & Nicobar Islands State President Dr Arun Kumar Mallik has urged the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to follow up on recommendations and actions proposed by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) concerning enforcement against overloaded commercial goods vehicles and the construction of additional weighbridges along National Highway-4 (NH-4) . In a letter dated 7 September 2026 addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District, Mallik referred to an earlier request regarding an additional weighbridge on NH-4, mandatory use of the existing Mile Tilak weighbridge by commercial goods vehicles, exemption of weighbridge user fees for vehicles transporting fresh vegetables, and continuation of the 12-tonne maximum truck-load restriction on vehicle ferries . Mallik said NHIDCL had provided technical comments and an Action Taken Report (ATR), including recommendations from its techn...

  Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 3 August 2026 A spell of heavy rainfall on Monday led to widespread waterlogging across several parts of Sri Vijaya Puram , disrupting normal life and once again drawing attention to concerns over the city's drainage infrastructure. Although the rainfall was not considered exceptional by Andaman standards, several roads and public spaces were submerged due to poor drainage. The Dweep Tulika team visited multiple affected locations, including the area in front of Hindi Sahitya Kala Parishad in Aberdeen Bazar , the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) and the Government Girls' Senior Secondary School campus. At all three locations, stagnant rainwater covered roads, footpaths and public areas, making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists alike. The waterlogging resulted in traffic congestion across several stretches of the city. Students, office-goers, shopkeepers and daily com...

DEHRADUN, July 24:  Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an immediate halt to the felling of trees for the proposed Bhaniyawala–Rishikesh road widening project following nearly a week of sustained public protests. The controversy began on July 12 when authorities started cutting trees for the expansion of the 20-kilometre road connecting Dehradun and Rishikesh . The project requires the removal of around 4,369 trees, many located in a forest area that forms part of an important elephant corridor near Rajaji National Park .  The move sparked widespread opposition from environmentalists, students, local residents, and social organisations. Protesters staged Chipko-style demonstrations by hugging trees, organising peaceful sit-ins, and demanding that the government reconsider the project in view of its environmental impact. Around 400 trees were reportedly felled before the work was stopped. On July 18, Chief Minister Dhami directed officials to suspend...

Congress has sought detailed clarification from the Centre on the proposed International Container Transhipment Port at Great Nicobar, raising questions on ownership, private participation and transparency.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are no longer a remote region and are set to play an important role in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 . Addressing a gathering comprising professionals, business leaders, senior citizens, women, youth and BJP leaders during his visit to the islands, Rijiju emphasized the importance of direct interaction between policymakers and society. He noted that while digital communication has become widespread, face-to-face engagement remains essential for understanding local concerns and strengthening public participation. Speaking about the transformation of remote regions, Rijiju said areas such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Northeast and border regions were once viewed as distant from the country's mainstream development process. According to him, improved transportation, internet connectivity and digital infrastructure have significantly changed that perception over t...

Sri Vijaya Puram , June 21: Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has raised concerns regarding spending priorities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , alleging that essential public infrastructure continues to face neglect while significant funds are being spent on vessels and facilities intended for administrative use. Speaking at a public gathering, the MP questioned the need for expensive new vessels reportedly costing several crores of rupees. He alleged that despite persistent issues related to drinking water supply , road connectivity and other basic infrastructure in various parts of the islands, substantial expenditure was being incurred on assets primarily used for the movement and functioning of senior officials. The parliamentarian also referred to frequent administrative changes and criticized what he described as insufficient focus on the everyday concerns of island residents. According to Shri Ray, development priorities should be directed towards improving public...

Delhi, June 20: A recent investigation by The Reporters' Collective has claimed that the Adani Group won all eight long-term coal power tenders floated by BJP-ruled states between 2024 and early 2026. According to the report, the projects could generate an estimated revenue of approximately ₹13.27 lakh crore over their operational lifetime, with most power purchase agreements extending for nearly 25 years. The investigation examined power procurement contracts awarded during the period and raised questions regarding certain tender conditions and concessions reportedly provided in some states. However, the report stated that it did not find evidence of illegal conduct and noted that securing all eight tenders does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing. Responding to the findings, the Adani Group rejected the allegations and maintained that all contracts were obtained through transparent and competitive bidding processes conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and approved...