Archives for May 10, 2023

Ganeshan& John Wilbert
Port Blair, May 10: The frequent breakdown of vehicle ferry vessels in Middle Strait is causing huge delays and inconvenience for NH4 (Andaman Trunk Road) commuters. The breakdown of one of the two vehicle ferries today,being operated by Shipping Services, has left more than 50 cargo vehicles stranded at Nilambur jetty by evening, resulting in chaos at Middle Strait Jetty as well as Nilambur Jetty of Baratang Island.
ATR commuters have already been facing problems due to the slow movement of vehicles caused by the inadequate number of vehicle ferries on the Middle Strait route. People travelling to North and Middle Andaman have been demanding that there should be at least three vehicle ferries at Middle Strait, but only two vehicle ferries, MV Kadamtala and MV North Bay, have been operating in the area.
This morning, only one vehicle ferry, MV North Bay, was providing services due to technical problems in the ramp of the MV Kadamtala, which later stopped its service. As a result, ATR passengers were forced to wait several hours to cross the Middle Strait, and many children and elderly people faced problems due to the long wait without food.
The situation 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 at Middle Strait. Mrs. Basanti Devi, a Zilla Parishad Member of PahalgaonMayabunder, said that she and many other passengers had to wait for more than 5 hours at Middle Strait jetty, which caused a lot of inconvenience to them.
Mr. Alagerswamy, Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang, said that the Directorate of Shipping Services needs to look into the matter as many people are traveling between North and Middle and South Andaman for various urgent works and many among them are patients.
He added that the administration should place at least three vehicle ferry vessels at Middle Strait to minimize the waiting time of vehicles and facilitate fast movement of vehicles across Middle Strait.
Mr. Alagerswamy said that priority given to oil tankers, which started during Covid-19 period, is still continuing, which is causing delays to ATR traffic everyday by one hour atleast. He demanded top priority to passenger buses and then to four wheelers of ATR passengers to reduce the public sufferings.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya

Port Blair, May 10: Mr. Ranglal Halder, the state president of Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misleading residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands regarding the 1/30 payment issue. He stated that the BJP is a party that makes empty promises and is misleading residents of the islands about the 1/30 payment, which was ordered by the court, but the BJP is taking credit for it.

Mr. Halder spoke to journalists at Gandhi Bhavan today where he praised the administration for giving 1/30 payment to the left out DMRs, but said that it is necessary to provide regular payment to all employees rather than giving them the benefit of this provision.

Mr. Halder also said that the Lt. Governor never meets with opposition party leaders, despite repeated requests. He stated that the opposition is better suited to determine what is happening within the Islands.
Mr. Ranglal Halder vehemently condemned the recent actions of certain BJP leaders who tried to tarnish the reputation of the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He said that these individuals have levelled baseless allegations against the MP, which Mr.Ranglal Halder has categorically stated lack any supporting evidence. He said that the MP has made significant contributions in the course of his tenure, a fact that is validated by his receipt of the coveted Sansad Ratna award twice. Therefore, Mr. Haldar emphasized that these unwarranted attacks on the MP are deserving of condemnation.

Regarding the Copra purchase on MSP, Halder said that it is being bought on MSP after many years. He stated that the BJP’s move is also an election ‘jumla’, and questioned why MSP for Copra was provided after so many years and why wasn’t MSP provided for Arecanut.

Mr. Halder also spoke about the Great Nicobar Project, stating that the BJP is misleading residents of the islands about the project. He said that the BJP claims that the project will provide employment to residents, but the reality is that no island resident has been employed for the project. Giving example he said that for three major words of bridges and roads, no local youths were given employment.

Expressing his concern over poor quality of NH4 construction works, he demanded a CBI inquiry into the use of NH4 repair funds.

Mr. G Baskar, the chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee, pointed out that Baratang Bridge work is incomplete. He said that water ATMs installation, new Traffic signals installation work and city beautification works are incomplete.

He raised concerns regarding the 100 percent job reservation policy. He pointed out that the online job advertising system is causing difficulties for Islanders, as many Mainlanders are being appointed in government jobs in Andaman.

Additionally, Mr. Bhasker has highlighted the Government’s failure to manage water resources in Port Blair, resulting in a water crisis that has impacted the city’s residents. He has also commented on the frequent power cuts in the city, which have now increased to more than an hour daily.