Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, April 11: Even as the visionary Lt. Governor of these islands plans to open more islands for tourism to bolster the industry, neglect of some potential beaches in South Andaman is earning flak for the administration particularly the Tourism Department. The sun-kissed Bada Balu beach in South Andaman is a classic instance of administrative apathy as it continues to suffer from acute dearth of basic amenities.
According to reports, the Bada Balu beach has the potential to attract tourists like any other beaches of these islands. However, visitors deter from venturing near the beach due to poor connectivity and lack of basic facilities.
The long and white beach is situated close to Chidiyatapu, much behind the helipad. One has to take a rocky and bumpy ride from the point where the road ends. During rain it becomes impossible to take vehicles in Bada Balu road.
The road leading to the beach is in such poor state that even if one reaches the beach using the road, it becomes practically impossible to return due to the tattered and bumpy surface.
Garbage scattered along the beach has emerged as another concern for visitors as the beach lacks garbage bins at various places. Owing to the dismal condition, the beach now wears a deserted look and has been reduced to a den of anti-social elements and love birds.
“On one hand the administration plans to develop the tourism industry with opening of new islands while on the other it continues to neglect existing destinations having potential make it big in the industry,” Mr. Mohd Rafique a social worker.
Bada Balu is one such case. Lack of basic facilities like road, sanitation has decreased the popularity of the beach to a great extent.
“One can easily spot empty liquor bottles, plastic bottles etc strewn all over the beach as no sanitary staffs have been placed on duty at the site. No one knows where the beach belongs to Forest or Tourism Department. It appears that the administration should first develop basic facilities at the existing tourist destinations rather than rushing to open more sites for tourism. Beaches like Bada Balu if properly developed can increase tourist footfalls to a great extent,” said some city residents.
