Ganeshan
Port Blair, Jan 02: The Baratang Ferry launched last year gained huge popularity among people of Middle Andaman for one way Journey towards Port Blair. Although there were less passengers for Baratang from Port Blair but for the journey from Baratang to Port Blair the vessel used to be fairly occupied, most of the time.
But sadly ignoring the interest of general public of Middle Andaman region, especially residents of Baratang the Administration changed the timing of Baratang ferry.
Earlier, the ferry used to leave Port Blair at 5.30 AM and from Baratang by 8.30 AM and then it used to leave for Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) and again used to return back to Baratang at around 1.00 PM. From Baratang the vessel used to leave at 3.00 PM and reach Port Blair by 5.45 PM which was perfect time for many.
As the last convoy of ATR leaves at 3.30 PM, many who could not manage a bus ticket from Nilambur Jetty used to take the vessel to reach Port Blair.
Moreover, as no private ATR bus issues return ticket from Middle Andaman to Port Blair, the Baratang ferry was only option for many ATR travelers but sadly that option is also not available now for public.
Not only this, for many people including old age people, sea journey is far more comfortable than shaky bus journey from Middle Strait to Port Blair and hence the return ferry was a great hit among people of Middle Andaman.
But sadly without even consulting with public representatives of Middle Andaman, the shipping department changed the Baratang ferry timing, leaving people of Middle Andaman region deeply upset.
Now instead of 3.00 PM the return ferry from Baratang to Port Blair leaves at around 1.30 PM and adding to the pain the ferry reached Port Blair via Havelock. Hence people of Middle Andaman, especially Baratang region are travelling via vessel to reach Port Blair, which is a huge disappointment.
PRI members of Baratang have already raised this issue with the Administration but as usual there is no one to listen to the genuine problems of common man.
“The new schedule is neither helping local residents nor tourists. There are hardly any tourists who are coming to Baratang in this ferry and then going to Havelock by the same. This means the very purpose of changing the schedule of this ferry has failed. The old timing of the Baratang ferry must be restored,” said Mr. Khurma Rao, former Zilla Parishad member of Baratang region.
It seems that the Administration is more worried for the tourists than the general public of Middle Andaman region.
Mr. Biju Gurudasan, Pradhan of Sundergarh has also written a letter in this regard, it is learnt.
Some PRI members are now planning to lodge complaint in Prime Minister’s online grievance portal, in this regard, it is learnt.
