Neil Correspondent
Port Blair, Oct 28: Battered road network has triggered public outrage in tourist hotspot – Neil Island. According to reports, the roads in Neil Island connecting many hamlets in the region have remained in poor shape for the past several years and the local administration has paid no heed to repeated requests from public representatives of the area pleading for repair and maintenance of the roads.
“While the current government at the Centre has launched several projects to improve roads in the country, benefits of such schemes have never percolated down to Neil Island. The local administration has turned a blind eye to the problem which has been haunting the villagers here for the past many years. Breakdown of tourist vehicles, road accidents due to the poor road surface have now become a recurring phenomena,” said some villagers of Neil Island.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan of Neil Island claimed that several requests made to the top authorities in the administration for repair and maintenance of the roads here have proved futile. “Neil Island is considered the second best tourist attraction after Havelock, but the tattered roads are earning a bad name for the islands.
When contacted, the Chief Engineer of Andaman Public Works Department, Mr Mathura Prasad said that after receipt of complaints of poor roads in Neil Island, the APWD has already dispatched a Road Roller to the region. “Road repairs works have already begun in Neil Island and residents have breathe a sigh of relief as the agency will also undertake carpeting of the roads soon,” he added.
