E Arun & Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, Jun 09: Nearly two houses in the Old Pahargoan area are under the threat of total collapse because of the landslides during the heavy rainfall. Disaster Management authorities of the town have already issued warning to the house owners and has asked them to evacuate the house immediately and shift to a safer place because they fear that the houses may collapse anytime now.
Life of nearly ten families residing in the two houses are under threat but sadly the administration is not taking the matter seriously and delaying the construction of the retaining wall which is urgently needed to save the two houses.
According to the sources the houses belong to Mr. Suraj Bahadur, who has also registered several complaints in the past about the threat to his houses because of the illegal earth cutting performed by one of the high-profile real estate players of the town. Perhaps because of involvement of big shot real estate player the revenue authorities are silent.
Andaman Sheekha when contacted Mr. Suraj Bahad, he alleged that instead of several complaints the previous SDM had not taken any action but he has hope from the present SDM as he ordered a probe and sought immediate reports from the authorities when he informed the matter to the SDM.
Mr. Suraj Bahadur further alleged that the illegal earth cutting in the area was done in 2008-2009 but the report from the Tehsildar, Port Blair clearly mentions that the earth cutting in the land bearing Sy. No. 59/3/1/12 was made during the year 1995.
People of the area are now demanding immediate construction of a retaining wall to stop the land sliding so that both the houses which are under threat can be saved.
