Trianth & Vikramaditya
Mayabunder, Nov 08: In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the plight of National Highway 4 (NH4) has been a recurring topic of concern among residents. Over the past several months, the decrepit state of NH4 has caused major distress, with frequent social media postings depicting vehicles struggling on treacherous road segments. This has induced widespread anxiety across the islands, as damaged vehicles and personal injuries have become all too common due to the highway’s disrepair.
However, recent developments indicate a change for the better. With the monsoon season nearing its end, the conditions on NH4 are starting to improve in some stretches. Authorities have pledged to address the situation with urgency and efficiency.
In an exclusive conversation with Andaman Sheekha Daily, Mr. Ankit Yadav, the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman, shared insights into the administration’s efforts to resolve the issue. “Our team is liaising with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) on a daily basis, ensuring that all repair activities along NH4 are under strict surveillance,” he stated.
The Deputy Commissioner revealed that 12 local contractors have been engaged by NHIDCL for temporary repairs on various stretches of NH4. These areas include the Kadamtala to Gate No. 3 in Rangat package, the Kaushalyanagar Stretch, and the Basantipur to Rest Camp section. Daily reviews are conducted to gauge progress and enforce accountability.
The concerted effort appears to be paying off. “There’s a noticeable improvement. Vehicles are no longer becoming ensnared in the roadway’s pitfalls, buses are adhering to their schedules, and the flow of traffic has largely returned to normal,” Mr. Yadav claimed.
Beyond these immediate actions, the administration is also implementing long-term strategies to ensure a permanent resolution to the NH4 debacle. NHIDCL has initiated fresh tender processes for the Baratang to Rangat stretch, while the contracts for the remaining few works are being reassigned to expedite completion.
The Deputy Commissioner asserted that Mayabunder’s package work has already commenced, with an aim to blacktopping of the road by December. New contractors are expected to join the efforts soon for Rangat to Baratang stretch, signaling a promising turn of events.
“We are dedicated to restoring NH4 and are working relentlessly to complete the work. The residents of these islands can expect to see substantial improvements in the coming days,” the Deputy Commissioner concluded, offering a glimmer of hope to the islanders.
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