The people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were amongst the biggest sufferers in the Tsunami tragedy over three years back.

Three years down the line rehabilitation work is extremely slow. Most of the tsunami victims still live in temporary shacks.

A total of 9,797 houses had to be constructed, the bulk of them (7,966) by the Central Public Works Department. The Andamans Public Works Department has been entrusted with another 1,122 and NGOs, 709 houses. The superstructures, being built in the mainland and shipped to the islands, have been erected only in 26 per cent of homes.

A total of 100 houses have been occupied and another 350 are ready to be handed over. It is only by March 2009, that is over 4 years after the tragedy, that 8,895 houses are scheduled to be completed. The remaining will have to be postponed due to adverse working and climatic conditions, according to the authorities.

Dharam Pal, who was until recently Relief Commissioner in the islands, says: "There are some serious challenges to construction in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The islands are scattered over 550 km and there is a huge distance from the mainland, from where construction material needs to be ferried."

What is clear is that far from technical challenges, what is blocking relief and rehabilitation in the Andamans is what is blocking it in the rest of India. The Indian state represents the interests of the imperialist big bourgeoisie and cares nothing for the masses of people.