John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Sept 24: The Lorazig area of Baratang and a few parts of Kaushalya Nagar NH4 stretch in Middle Andaman region faced traffic disruptions yesterday, causing extensive traffic issues due to heavy rainfall.
As per details heavy rain caused waterlogging not only in Lorazig area but also in a few parts of Kaushalya Nagar region, leading to severe inconveniences for commuters. Since morning to afternoon the normal traffic on NH4 was heavily disrupted, with around 80 to 90 light vehicles unable to cross the affected areas.
The Lorazig Bridge, with a history of over 25 years, was originally constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and later transferred to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) for maintenance. However, ongoing issues with the water drainage system have persisted, with residents reporting overflowing Nallahs during heavy rains for the past five years.
Mr. Alagerswamy, the Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang, emphasized that such traffic disruptions are not uncommon, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall and flooding. Despite NHIDCL’s efforts to clear drainage blockages and fill potholes in the culvert area last month, the problem resurfaced with the recent heavy rainfall on September 23. Despite maintenance responsibilities being transferred to NHIDCL, the issue of poor maintenance has continued unabated for half a decade.
Local villagers are now urging NHIDCL to take concrete steps to address the persistent water drainage problems and ensure proper maintenance work. It is imperative for local authorities and relevant agencies to promptly address these issues to ensure the safety of commuters, prevent traffic disruptions, and mitigate the impacts of waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
