Archives for May 7, 2023

Port Blair, May 07: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to place at least three vehicle ferry vessels at Middle Strait to minimize waiting time and provide some relief to ATR (NH4) passengers.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Member of Parliament mentioned that ATR (NH4) commuters have to wait for two to three hours at Middle Strait, waiting for their turn to reach Baratang via Vehicle Ferry Vessels.
He added that this has become a serious issue for passengers traveling to North and Middle Andaman, particularly families with children, women, and elderly people who find it extremely difficult to wait for such a long time under scorching sun and humid conditions.
He mentioned that presently only two vehicle ferry vessels, one large and one small are placed in Middle Strait, which are unable to cater to the rush. In the past, on several occasions the Directorate of Shipping Services has placed three vehicle ferry vessels at Middle Strait to minimize the waiting time of vehicles and facilitate fast movement of vehicles across Middle Strait, which had yielded good results.
With the Humphrey Gunj Bridge now ready, the Member of Parliament requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to consider placing at least three vehicle ferry vessels at Middle Strait to provide some relief to ATR (NH4) passengers.
He added that fast movement of traffic in Andaman Trunk Road will also benefit the Administration by minimizing the movement time of government vehicles, cargo vessels, oil tankers, and hence it will be beneficial for both the general public and administration.

Heavy rain (07-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Nicobar Islands and thundersquall (with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph) is also likely to occur at one or two places over A&N Islands on May 8. Thunderstorm with lightning & Squall (speed 60-70 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over A&N Islands. Heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Nicobar Islands and heavy rain (07-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Andaman Islands on May 9.
Thunderstorm with lightning & Squall (speed 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over A&N Islands and heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) likely to occur at a few places with extremely heavy rain (greater than 20 cm) at one or two places over A&N Islands on May 10. Thunderstorm with lightning & Squall (speed 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over A&N Islands and heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is also likely to occur at a few places with extremely heavy rain (greater than 20 cm) at one or two places over A&N Islands.
In anticipation of formation of low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighborhood around 8th May, 2023, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 12, 2023.
For further enquiries / information contact helpline of State Emergency Operation Centre at Helpline No. 1070 & District Emergency Operation Centre at Helpline No. 1077. For any emergency/assistance at sea, call Coast Guard SAR Agency at Toll Free number 1554.

Port Blair, May 07: APWD has invited suggestions from general public on ways and measures to augment water supply in Port Blair. The suggestions may include rejuvenation of non-functional ponds, abandoned Japanese wells, identification of water streams & new bore wells and any other water sources which may be utilized for public use. The suggestions may be sent on waterportblair@gmail.com within the next 15 days.

Port Blair, May 07: Heavy rain (07-11 cm) & thunderstorms with lightning, gusty wind (speed reaching 40-50 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over Nicobar Islands on May 8. Thundersquall (speed reaching 60-70 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands and heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Nicobar Islands. Heavy rain (07-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Andaman Islands on May 9.
Similarly, thunder squall with wind speed (speed reaching 80-90 kmph) is likely to occur at one or two places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands and heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is likely to occur at a few places with extremely heavy rain (greater than 21 cm/ equal to 21 cm) at one or two places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands on May 10.
In anticipation of formation of a low pressure area around 8th May, 2023 (morning) over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighborhood, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till 12th May, 2023.
For further enquiries / information, one may contact Helpline of State Emergency Operation Centre at Helpline No. 1070 & District Emergency Operation Centre at Helpline No. 1077. For any emergency/assistance at sea, call the Coast Guard SAR Agency at Toll Free number 1554.

Port Blair, May 07: A webinar on ‘Approaches to Urban Architecture, Engineering & Visualizing Development’ was organized by the Andaman Public Works Department in the Seminar hall of DBRAIT here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary congratulated APWD for conducting the workshop which is very relevant for A&N Islands by roping in renowned experts from the mainland that has vast experience in the subject. The Chief Secretary stated that street designing is very important and all the factors have to be incorporated while designing, so that it benefits the society at large.
The Chief Secretary further mentioned that Andaman is uniquely placed and it has the potential to emerge as a sought after tourist destination. The Administration is making its best effort to give this place the right position it deserves and urged the experts to visit the Flagship Island, Swaraj Dweep and suggest measures to further improve the master plan of the Island. In this context, it is very important to keep interacting with the professionals who have done tremendous work in this field, the Chief Secretary said.
Expressing his views post the presentations made by the renowned experts, the Chief Secretary thanked the experts from mainland viz. Ms. Mriganka Saxena Khanna, Architecture, Partner, Habitat Tectonics Architecture & Urbanism (HTAU), Gurugram, Ms. Sujata Hingorani, Architecture, Oasis Designs Inc., New Delhi and Ms Paromita Roy, Senior Architect (DWk&WZ), HUPW, Delhi Development Authority for their detailed presentations. The Chief Secretary further said that Engineers should also possess some knowledge about urban planning and development. Everything has to be put together in a cohesive mode which can be translated into developing a well planned city, the Chief Secretary added.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Secretary, APWD, Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS said that the Islands has very limited revenue land and development should take place keeping in mind the fragile ecology of the Islands. The Islands have to be developed in a sustainable manner over the next 20-25 years balancing both these aspirations is the crux of the workshop, he said.
The renowned experts from the mainland made a vibrant presentation on sustainable development, new concept of master plan and modern method of planning.