John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 16: The dilapidated state of STS (State Transport Service) buses has become a common sight in the North and Middle Andaman, with leakages from the roof, broken seats, frequent breakdowns, and even passengers having to push the buses to get them started. This predicament is particularly prevalent in remote islands, causing serious inconvenience to residents and commuters.
Among the affected areas, Baratang Island have been enduring a long-standing issue – a single common bus provided for transportation to Wrafter Creek and Beach Dera from Nilambur Jetty. This arrangement is causing immense inconvenience to school students and the general public alike. Moreover, the demand for STS buses remains high on many routes, but the Transport Department is unable to meet the demand due to the poor condition of the buses and a shortage in their availability.
In response to these challenges, Mrs. Sumari Roy, the Pradhan of Nilambur Gram Panchayat, recently wrote a letter to the Director of Transport, highlighting the critical situation. She pointed out that out of the 16 buses allocated for the Baratang unit, only 8 are currently in operational condition. The STS unit in Baratang is facing a shortage of buses and staff members. Mrs. Roy emphasized the need to repair all the ATR buses that have encountered problems in Baratang, in addition to the buses assigned specifically for the area. Furthermore, she noted that there are 11 drivers, 11 conductors, and 8 mechanics currently serving in the Baratang units.
Previously, buses were provided on a daily basis from Nilambur to Diglipur and vice versa. However, the current scenario has seen buses being provided on alternate days. This change poses a significant inconvenience for the people of Baratang, as they often need to travel to Mayabunder for court appearances, the District Collector’s office, and the Zilla Parishad office. Additionally, the general public requires transportation for their day-to-day activities. To address this issue, it is recommended that the buses that start from Kadamtala and travel to Rangat and back should be extended up to Nilambur Jetty. Additionally, the 8 buses that are beyond repair should be returned to the STS unit in Port Blair, with new buses being provided in exchange.
“The deteriorating state of the STS buses in Andaman and Nicobar Islands demands immediate attention and action from the Administration. A reliable and efficient public transportation system is vital for the well-being and convenience of the residents,”said a resident of Baratang Island.
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