Port Blair, Aug 04: The District Road Safety Committee, led by Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, conducted an inspection to address pressing issues of congestion of traffic and sanitation in city areas of Port Blair.
Accompanied by Mrs. Niharika Bhatt, IPS, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District, Mr. Amit Kale, IAS, Secretary PBMC, Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, Sub Divisional Magistrate and other key officials from PBMC, A & N Traffic Police, the team meticulously assessed sanitation concerns and issued directives.
The DRSC team observed that the congestion of traffic due roadside encroachments in the entire Bathu Basthi and Garacharma area has to be removed. APWD shall repair & widen the road sides of this stretch with proper road markings & sign boards. A meeting with the ward councilors and PBMC officials for the removal of encroachments in the Bathu Basti and Garacharma areas, and to repair and widen the roadsides of this stretch for smooth traffic management shall be scheduled at the earliest
The vacant land opposite to Karpagam Hotel, Bathu Basti Junction needs to be developed which may be used for parking of auto rickshaw/Two wheeler. At present the land is under the possession of IP&T department. The DC (SA) directed the APWD officials to obtain an NOC from IP&T and prepare an estimated cost for making a parking lot.
During inspection it was observed that the design of the existing road divider at Bathu Basti needs to be modified in order to get more space on the road. The DC (SA) directed to conduct a field visit to ascertain the feasibility of modifying the existing Bathu Basti divider, and also to conduct a meeting with NHIDCL for execution of the work.
It was observed that congestion of traffic during school hours near Carmel Sr. Sec. School, K.V-I, Nirmala Sr. Sec. School and VKV at Lamba Line are at their peak. The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman directed that a meeting to be conducted with the school authorities and a field survey may also be conducted to identify at least two schools to assess the feasibility of using public transport for picking up and dropping off students and further the school authorities should allow the parents to drop & pickup children from their school campus by identifying separate space inside the campus.
Further, the parking lot in front of VKV at VSI Airport shall be used for parking vehicles from 0700 to 1500 hrs. The DC (SA) directed the Dy. SP/Traffic to prepare a list of vehicles that are supposed to be parked during these times.
The Deputy Commissioner, (SA) directed the PBMC officials to conduct meetings with the Principals of Carmel Senior Secondary School and KV-I to surrender a portion of the land and also obtain NOC to prepare an estimated cost for widening the road by approximately 2 meters along the 70-meter stretch and also the drainage in front of KV-1 main gate area and Carmel Senior Secondary School to be covered by concrete slabs that can be used for parking of vehicles.
For Ratnam Market, the Committee directed enhanced cleaning protocols and the creation of designated waste disposal areas. Bathubasti Vegetable Market, required daily cleaning, the provision of dustbins for each shopkeeper and clearly defined waste disposal zones. The need for urgent drain cleaning near KV School at DAG Colony was also emphasized to prevent health hazards.
Secretary PBMC directed the Sanitary Officer to look into these issues and ensure that all directives are implemented effectively and promptly. This will improve the sanitation and public health standards across the District.
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