Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Oct 29: The North and Middle Andaman regions, once getting ready for tourism boost, are facing a dire decline in tourist activity, largely attributed to the deteriorating condition of National Highway 4 (NH4). The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has been under scrutiny for its sluggish progress in upgrading the vital roadway, with consequences that ripple through the local economy.
Once brimming with potential, the North and Middle Andaman regions were poised to become world-renowned tourist destinations. Enthused by the booming tourism in Port Blair, Shaheed Deep, and Swaraj Dweep, local youths and the general public invested heavily in private hotels and lodges. Anticipating a similar surge in tourism, they now find their dreams and livelihoods jeopardized.
Areas like the Diglipur region, abundant in attractions such as Ross and Smith Islands, elephant rides, saddle peak hiking, possibilities of river rafting, limestone caves, pristine beaches, and turtle nesting, are witnessing almost no visitors these days. The same is true for the Rangat region, known for its beaches and turtle nesting sites. The poor condition of NH4 has rendered travel to these areas a harrowing experience, deterring tourists and leaving the regions desolate.
The drop in tourism has had a domino effect, resulting in unemployment and dashed hopes for many youths who envisioned a future sustained by the industry. The deteriorating NH4 has transformed journeys to these northern regions into nightmares, causing even the most adventurous tourists to reconsider their plans.
Tourism experts suggest that reviving tourism in these regions is still possible through strategic measures. They advocate for the provision of regular specially scheduled vessels to ensure reliable and comfortable transport. Ships like Nalanda and Sindhu could be scheduled for overnight journeys to Diglipur, allowing tourists to enjoy the natural splendours of the region for a day or two before returning to Port Blair by new ships. Similarly, special ferries to Rangat could invigorate travel to this area. Such initiatives require a genuine zeal for promoting tourism and an active interest in the region’s development.
The potential benefits of reviving tourism in North and Middle Andaman are immense. Not only could it generate thousands of jobs, but it would also diversify the tourist destinations within the Andaman Islands, giving visitors more reasons to explore and return. While South Andaman enjoys the lion’s share of tourism benefits, there is a growing call for North and Middle Andaman to receive their fair share, thereby breathing new life into the region and bolstering the overall allure of the Andaman Islands as a whole. Hope some days the decision makers will think of this pressing issue too as it is connected with the livelihoods of thousands and thousands of people.
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