John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Apr 04: The lone-operated ice plant run by ANIDCO in Swaraj Dweep Islands has been temporarily repaired recently, bringing some relief for the fishermen of the Island. Earlier on 07 December 2022 Andaman Sheekha Daily had prominently highlighted this issue. During the interview the concerned officers of ANIIDCO had assured to repair the Ice Plant as early as possible.
Although it took nearly three months for ANIIDCO to repair the Ice Plant temporarily, fishermen of Swaraj Dweep are now demanding a permanent solution to this problem as incase of another breakdown they will again suffer huge financial loss.
As per information received the lone operated ice plant in Swaraj Dweep Islands was out of order since September last year, forcing fishermen of Swaraj Dweep to dispose of their catch fish within 24 hours because no ice blocks were available for them.
Mr. Ajit Kumar Roy, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Govind Nagar told Andaman Sheekha Daily that the fishermen of Swaraj Dweep demand a permanent repair of the ice plant. He added that since the ice plant is too old, a new ice plant should be installed for the convenience of fishermen.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted a senior officer of ANIIDCO, he said that on 22nd March 2022 the ice plant was repaired temporarily. “For now the ice plant is fulfilling the demands of fishermen and there is no scarcity of ice blocks,” he claimed. He further added that soon a total estimated expense will be calculated and accordingly the work of permanent repair of the Ice plant will be undertaken.
