John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, June 30: The Residents of Little Andaman and other islands in the southern group of Nicobar district are demanding the reopening of the Forest Barrack in Haddo. Previously, the barrack was maintained by the A&N Forest Plantation Development Corporation and provided accommodation for inter-island residents, as well as forest laborers and staff during their visits to Port Blair. However, since the closure of the Forest Corporation in 2017, the barrack, which came under the direct purview of the forest department, has remained closed due to a lack of maintenance.
Mr. S Vasudevan Nair, Zilla Parishad Member of Hut Bay, has appealed to the Chief Secretary for the proper upkeep of the Forest Corporation Barrack at Haddo. The barrack serves as temporary housing for passengers from other islands such as Little Andaman, Katchal, Nancowry, and Campbell Bay, who visit Port Blair for medical treatment or official purposes. The closure of the barrack has caused inconvenience to the residents of the southern group islands, as they are now faced with the challenge of finding suitable accommodation in Port Blair’s expensive private lodges.
Vasudevan Nair urged relevant authorities to take over the barrack, carry out necessary repairs and renovations, and ensure proper maintenance. “The barrack should be made functional again, charging nominal or minimum fees, to cater to the needs of inter-island residents,” he demanded.
Andaman Sheekha Daily team contacted a senior officer from the Forest Department, who said that there is no written communication regarding the matter. However, the officer assured that they would consult with higher authorities to address the issue.
