Saket Lal
Port Blair, Apr 22: Construction of an alternate sea route from Port Blair to Baratang in Middle Andaman is scheduled to commence soon, said the Chief Engineer, ALHW, Mr Bimal Sinha. Speaking to Channel One News recently, the ALHW Chief informed that environment clearance for initiating the dredging works for the alternate route is expected in the next 15-20 days.
Tenders for construction of Jetty will be floated soon and the work is expected to be awarded to the competent player in the month of June this year. The construction work is expected to be complete within four months from the date of award of the contract, Mr Sinha added.
Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) connecting Port Blair to Diglipur in the North Andaman passing through some important tourist spots in Baratang. But the ATR also passes through some tribal reserves in Middle Andaman. Considering the threat to the primate tribes, the Apex Court barred movement of tourist vehicles on the tribal reserve belts. The ban was lifted as an interim measure and the administration was instructed to strictly regulate movement of vehicles in the tribal reserves.
