Port Blair, Oct 15: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi yesterday visited Municipal ward No. 17, 18 & 24. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, PBMC Chairperson, Shri B. Eshwar Rao, Secretary, PBMC, Shri Yashpal Garg, Secretary APWD, Shri Sanjiv Khirwar, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Udit Prakash Rai, Chief Engineer APWD, Shri Mathura Prasad, Senior Officer of the Administration, Councilors of Ward No 17, Shri Dharmendra Narayan, Ward No. 18, Smt. Rubana Aziz and Ward No. 24, Shri K. Uday Kumar and PRIs were also present.
Addressing the gathering at Community Hall/Old Panchayat Bhawan at Garacharma, the Lt. Governor said during his visit to the three municipal wards i.e. Ward No. 17.18 & 24 today, he was apprised of the problems faced in these wards by the respective Councilors. Accordingly, necessary directions with fixed timeframe have been issued to the concerned officials to expedite the work.
Regarding the suggestion given by the Member of Parliament/ Councilor ward no 18 to develop the Community Hall/old Panchayat Bhawan into a Multipurpose Centre/ Shopping Complex under PPP mode, the Lt. Governor directed the Chief Secretary to examine the feasibility along with suggestions for various possible models.
The Lt. Governor also expressed desire that the drains should be kept spic and span and accordingly issued direction to PBMC to carry out cleaning of the drains of Ward No. 17, 18 & 24 within the next seven days. He also mentioned about the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for open defecation free country which, he said should be implemented in its truest sense. Accordingly, Port Blair city will be made open defecation free by March 31st, 2017, said the Lt. Governor adding that in phase wise, other parts of the Islands will also be covered. The Lt. Governor also expressed satisfaction that in every school of Isles, the facility for separate toilets for boys & girls are available.
Sharing his observation of the Islands, the Lt. Governor remarked that A&N Islands are beautiful Islands where unity in diversity truly thrives. The essence of brotherhood can be seen among the Islanders, said the Lt. Governor and congratulated the Islanders for living in perfect harmony. “People of all faith and community reside here in these Islands besides preserving & promoting their respective language and culture, yet ‘Hindi’ remains the main lingua franca of the Islanders, which is quite a good thing”, observed the Lt. Governor.
The Lt. Governor assured the gathering that the problems highlighted during his visit to Ward No. 17, 18 & 24 will be taken up. The Lt. Governor also urged people to make best use of ‘Public Hearing’ at Raj Niwas and submit their grievances one day ahead of the ‘Public Hearing’ so that the issues highlighted can be marked to the concerned Department/Official for explanation besides ensuring proper guidance to the grievances highlighted.
Earlier, the Lt. Governor visited Ward No.17 at Dollygunj and was apprised about the issue of water clogging. Accordingly, the Lt. Governor issued direction to APWD to start the work for construction of drain/culvert from Oct 21 and for which the foundation stone will be laid the on same day. Regarding the construction of major drain at Ward No. 17, the Lt. Governor directed Chief Engineer APWD to prepare the estimate within the next 15 days.
At Attampahad, Birsanagar, Councilor, Ward No. 18, Smt. Rubina Aziz apprised the Lt. Governor of the issues pertaining to water supply, street light, footpath, bus timing issue and land slide. Accordingly, the Lt. Governor issued direction that the timing of water supply as well as the quantity be increased while Electricity Department has been directed to provide additional poles for LT Lines and thereafter PBMC to provide street lights. Regarding the bus timing issue, the Lt. Governor issued direction for advancing it one hour ahead of the usual timing. Pertaining to construction of footpath, the Lt. Governor said the work will be taken up as per the fund availability of PBMC in due course. Regarding land slide, APWD has been directed to look into the issue.
At Rajajinagar, Ward No. 24, the Lt. Governor took serious view of the delay in road work. Accordingly, directions were issued to APWD and it was decided that within seven days estimate will be approved and thereafter tender will be floated and work will commence by 1st week of December. The Lt. Governor also issued direction to PBMC to carry out cleaning of the culvert at Ward No. 24 within a week.
At Garacharma Ward No. 18, the Lt. Governor visited the burial ground/graveyard and was informed by the Secretary PBMC that an estimate of Rs. 57 lakh has been prepared in which facilities such as sheds, store for fuel, toilets and poles for fencing will be provided.
Regarding the suggestion put forth by the Member of Parliament pertaining to development of the water lake, situated few meters away from the burial ground, the Lt. Governor directed the Secretary Tourism to inspect the place and get it surveyed for feasibility of developing it as tourist place.
