Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Feb 16: The Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Mr Nitin Jairam Gadkari today promised that work for construction of Bridge or undersea tunnel between Chatham and Bambooflat will start within eight months. He also promised that the work for construction of bridges at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait to begin within six months.
Addressing a massive public rally at Bambooflat this evening the Minister said that it is not sure whether a bridge or a undersea tunnel will be constructed between Chatham and Bambooflat but in any case the work will start within eight months.
“The ground work for construction of bridge or undersea tunnel has already started. Within three months the study will be completed and with next three months tender process will be completed and I promise that within next two months the work will start,” Gadkari promised.
Regarding two bridges at ATR, the Minister said that work for construction of the Middle Strait Bridge, which will be of 277 mtrs and Humphrey Strait bridges, which will be 263 mtrs, will begin within next six months.
Regarding Andaman Trunk Road the Minister said that in first phase the first part of the ATR, which is from Chidiyatapu to Jirkatang, total 60 km will be made double lane and this work will start within next four months.
Regarding induction of ships for Andaman and Nicobar Islands the Minister said that ship building works for five ships have been halted in various private shipyards for various reasons but now the work has been given to Cochin shipyard.
“Cochin Shipyard has promised to complete the task of building five ships within three years,” the Minister added.
Out of these five ships one ship will be of 400 pax capacity, two ships will be of 1200 pax capacity and rest two ships will be of 500 pax capacity. He said that the Ministry is trying to get this work done within two years.
Referring to the economic growth of the islands, the Union Minister for Road Transport said, Palm Oil cultivation in the islands can be taken up in a big way since the climatic conditions of Andamans matches with that of Singapore and Malaysia from where India has been importing Palm Oil.
In the matter of Environment Protection Act, Gadkari said that the BJP Government is equally concerned about development and environment. He said that the Environment Protection should be in compliance with developmental objectives.
Gadkari also stressed on exploring non conventional energy sources for the islands. He also looked as Bamboo based industries to have a good scope in the islands. Concluding his address, the Union Minister said; what the country could not achieve in past 50 years would be achieved in 5 years of the BJP Govt.
Welcoming the Union Minister, the State President BJP, Shri Vishal Jolly apprised the Minister about the demands of the people of the islands which, among others, included, construction of bridge connecting Chatham with Bambooflat, giving back the land of the Tsunami affected farmers, releasing the dues of the employees of the Andaman Timber Industry(ATI) Bambooflat, developing tourist spots in South Andaman and immediate construction of road connecting North Bay and improving road to Shoal Bay -19 etc.
Among the others who addressed the gathering were the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray who stressed on opening up more destinations for tourists. The MP also had a mention about the new Health Insurance Policy for the islanders.
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