Port Blair, Aug 14: The Lt. Governor reviewed the performance of Transport Department and traffic situation in Port Blair at Raj Niwas this morning. Secretary (Transport) and SP (South Andaman) made power point presentations to the Lt. Governor. The Chief Secretary and other senior officers of the Administration were also present on the occasion.
Expressing his concern over the increase in the number of motor vehicles and its uncontrolled movement, especially in Havelock and Port Blair, the Lt. Governor issued various directions to improve the traffic and transport situation in the Islands.
As the increase in the number of motor vehicles is associated with pollution, Transport Department was directed to initiate a green drive for promoting battery operated vehicles and establishment of central charging stations. The Lt. Governor asked the Department to give proper publicity to the promotional schemes associated with electric vehicles.
The Lt. Governor underlined the need for improvement of public transport, by introduction of people friendly vehicles. Issuance of permits in Havelock Island has been discontinued for more than a year due to alarming increase in the number of vehicles there. Considering the local requirement, it has been decided to issue 50 permits in Havelock, including the 39 applications received so far in the Transport Department. Permits would be issued only after ensuring proper parking area and other formalities by a Committee.
In order to optimize the available parking spaces in Port Blair, the Lt. Governor directed the APWD to consider handing over all the 22 parking areas under their possession to PBMC, who, in turn, shall devise a system, which would include ‘pay and park’ facility, for regulation of these parking areas with a view to decongest the area and ensuring affordability.
The Lt. Governor has viewed encroachment of footpaths and parking spaces by shopkeepers and hawkers seriously as it is one of the major disturbances in the regulation of traffic. He directed the PBMC to identify and notify alternate space for hawkers, as necessary.
With a view to have efficient monitoring of the traffic situation, the Lt. Governor directed that SP (South Andaman) will be the responsible officer for maintenance and regulation of traffic in Port Blair. For this, the SP (SA) will be assisted by a Traffic Management Committee, consisting of officers from all stakeholder Departments such as Transport, APWD, PBMC, Health, Education etc. The Lt. Governor also issued directions for formulating a traffic management plan exclusively for Port Blair.
