Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 17: The Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad, N &M Andaman Mr. Alager Swamy has renewed his demand for the deployment of larger-capacity and faster vehicle ferries at Middle Strait, citing increasing traffic congestion and growing transportation requirements in the region.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily today after meeting Mr. Hemant Kumar, Secretary (Shipping), A&N Administration yesterday, Mr. Alager Swamy said he had brought the issue to the Secretary’s attention and highlighted the difficulties being faced by commuters due to the existing ferry arrangement.
According to him, vehicle ferry services at Middle Strait currently depend on one large ferry and two smaller ferries. However, the smaller ferries frequently undergo repairs and maintenance, resulting in disruptions to ferry operations and causing inconvenience to the public.
Mr. Alager Swamy pointed out that with the summer vacation coming to an end, a large number of residents and students will soon be returning to North and Middle Andaman, leading to a significant increase in passenger and vehicle movement. He noted that the route is heavily used not only by private vehicles but also by cargo carriers transporting essential commodities, including fuel, LPG cylinders, and other supplies.
He said that dependence on a single large ferry often leads to long queues of vehicles and delays in transportation. As a result, ferry schedules are affected and commuters are forced to wait for extended periods before crossing the strait.
“The situation becomes particularly difficult when one of the ferries develops technical problems. Long queues build up, and the movement of people and goods is severely affected. We need two large ferries at Middle Strait to ensure smooth and uninterrupted services,” Mr. Alager Swamy said.
He recalled that in earlier years, larger ferries were deployed on the route and stated that a similar arrangement is now urgently required considering the present volume of traffic. He urged the Shipping Department to take immediate steps to replace or supplement the existing fleet with additional large-capacity ferries capable of carrying more vehicles and passengers per trip.
The Chairperson expressed hope that the Administration would give serious consideration to the long-pending demand and take necessary action in the interest of public convenience, economic activity, and regional development.
