Newly Constructed Road in Namunaghar area faces Premature Damage; Public Demands intervention of CS

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 04: A road connecting Namunaghar Junction to Mulla Pahad in South Andaman, recently constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), is already experiencing severe damages within a few months of completion. The road, which was constructed just three months ago, has developed numerous potholes, raising concerns among the local residents about its durability, particularly during the upcoming monsoon season.
Residents have reported multiple instances of damage along the road and have expressed their dissatisfaction with its quality. They fear that the road’s condition will deteriorate further in this rainy season. In light of these concerns, villagers have urged the Chief Secretary of the A & N Administration to intervene and take necessary measures to ensure the road’s longevity and safety for daily commuting and travel.
Mr. Mohammad Safique, Pradhan of Mithakhari, highlighted that the road construction work was interrupted by heavy rainfall last month, leaving it incomplete. While acknowledging this, he emphasized the need for the administration to construct the road with a proper drainage system. The area has been grappling with water-logging issues for the past few years. Furthermore, Mr. Safique requested the construction of two culverts near Mohammad Alam’s house and the Coast Guard Land, along with the installation of protected lanes alongside the road, to preserve its quality.
Damage of roads in the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to poor drainage systems is not a new thing. Andaman Sheekha in a previous edition published articles and editorials on this issue that the Administration is least bothered about construction of drains along roads because of which water flows over the road during rainy seasons bringing stones and pebbles, which damages the road with movement of vehicles. The Islandes urges the Chief Secretary to strictly order construction of proper and functional drains along with any road, to ensure durability of the road.