Port Blair, Dec 02: On a request from the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, officials of Andaman & Nicobar Command visited Haddo Nallah from Haddo side to review a site of flooding at Haddo during Cyclone Lehar alongwith the MP and PBMC officials. The visit was an initiative of the MP to find a feasible solution to the problem of choking of HaddoNallah drain and inundation of water on the Haddo side.
Usually unprotected drains are used by anti national elements to sneak into protected areas. The grill was erected to prevent unauthorized entry of Anti National Elements. However, considering large volume of garbage and plastic waste that has been blocking the grill, the gap between the steel grills was increased four months ago to allow free movement of plastic waste through the defence area, whilst continuing to protect from unauthorized entry of persons. In addition, arrangements have been incorporated in the design of the grill for personnel to be able to enter the grill to periodically clear the plastic and solid waste that accumulates on the defence side of the protective grill.
As large inflow of plastic and solid waste had blocked the drain during Cyclone Lehar and collapsed the perimeter wall between Haddo and Defence area, defence authorities are making arrangements to further improve the design. Residents of Port Blair Municipal Area are advised to avoid disposal of plastic and solid waste into drains. A comprehensive solid waste management programme is essential such that civic amenities are not affected by garbage and waste leaves accumulation. Engineers from PBMC have also briefed that civil works have been sanctioned to erect similar grills on the civil side to collect and dispose off solid waste from the drain on the Haddo side.
The MP and civic officials were briefed by defence officials on arrangements in place for collection and disposal of large amount of plastics and solid waste from the Nallah that flows into the Naval Wharf area from the adjoining residential areas.
Such measures by defence authorities, arrangements made by PBMC for regular collection of solid waste from the drain, and greater efforts by the general public can go a long way towards preventing inundation of residential areas that could cause collapse of walls and houses.
