Jeevan
Car Nicobar, Apr 14: Though seaways remain the lifeline for scores of residents of the Nicobar groups of islands, defiance of certain safety regulations in the key Port at Car Nicobar once again poses a question mark on the seriousness of the authorities towards safety of passengers as well as staffs.
According to reports, the gangway of the Mus Jetty, deficient of the mandatory nets, has put passengers on serious risk while embarking and disembarking the vessels. Besides, a defunct Forklift Machine at the Port has forced jetty workers and general public to tow and lift the gangway to the Ship’s portside.
“Despite several reports in the local media, the Shipping and the Port Management Board remains insensitive to the urgent need to implement safety norms at Jetties in true spirit to prevent any mishap. The gangways without nets pose a serious threat to passengers while embarking and disembarking as a minor slipup could prove fatal. Passengers with heavy baggage can easily slip on the gangway and collapse on the port surface with fatal injuries. But the authorities appear least bothered about passengers safety here,” said a resident of Mus.
The only defective Forklift Machine at the Jetty has turned out to be another cause of concern. The pulley of the machine has gone defunct and the machine can only draw the gangway close to the ship’s portside. The rest of the job, the most crucial part of lifting the gangway to the Ship portside is left for the port workers and general public to execute.
The labour-intensive exercise of lifting the gangway weighing hundreds of kilos is another hazard as a minor error would cost a number of the lives at the Jetty.
“People who lift the gangway with good faith are actually at serious risk. In case of a simple mistake the gangway may fall of these people and chop their leg or body completely. No one has safety gears,” said a passenger. The authorities again prefer to turn a blind eye to the problem, said some others.
