Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Aug 11: Soon tourists visiting Baratang won’t have to suffer spine-breaking journey of pathetic ATR, as the Administration today conducted first Alternate Route Sea Trial by fast vessel MV Shompen.
It was a pleasant surprise for boat operators of Baratang as well as people of the region who were at the Baratang Jetty, who saw MV Shompen reaching upto the Jetty of Baratang and returning back without berthing at the under-construction Jetty of Baratang. In Middle Strait people usually see small motor boats and vehicle ferry vessels but seeing a vessel like MV Shompen, people were too curious.
Eyewitnesses told Andaman Sheekha that a delegation of senior level officers was also present inside the vessel but there were no passengers onboard.
Insiders in DSS later told Andaman Sheekha that the vessel left for Baratang from Phoenix Bay Jetty at around 8.00 am and reached Baratang at 11.00 am (3 hours) while in return due to favorable current in the Middle Strait, they reached by 1.45 PM, which is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Insiders told Andaman Sheekha the zig zag movement of the boat in the creek offers some breathtaking views to people onboard and will certainly be liked by the tourists, if ever this alternate route is started.
The PMB has put great deal of efforts to make this alternate sea route upto Baratang ready. It has been learnt from boat operators of Baratang and a good number of marking buoys have been placed in Middle Strait by the PMB for guiding the vessels upto Baratang Jetty.
However, it is still now clear whether the Alternate Route to Baratang via vessel is fully ready but such trial has brought hopes for many.
As far as impact on Tourism is concerned the AATO has already welcomed the move of Administration to open alternate route to Baratang but many cab operators are worried about loss in their business.
Now time will only tell us whether this Alternate Route will ever be used or it will remain as an alternative in coming days too.
Next big move to eat employment of youth in tourist sector vehicles.