Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Feb 04: Pathetic condition of Andaman Trunk Road has already made life of people of North and Middle Andaman difficult and clear anger is brewing among the Islanders against ruling BJP Party. It is believed by Islanders that if BJP gets defeated in Andaman in coming Lok Sabha Elections then pathetic condition of ATR will be a prominent reason.
Adding to the plight, the quality of road re-surfacing by NHIDCL is so poor inside Jarawa Reserve area (ATR Stretch) that people are losing faith over NHIDCL.
For reason, unknown the NHIDCL had carried out only a resurfacing work over the existing ATR stretch, which falls under Jarawa Tribal Reserve Forest, between Jirkatang and Middle Strait.
But sadly the said work was also abruptly stopped nearly 8 KM before the Middle Strait and this last 8 KM is giving horrible time to ATR passengers.
Moreover as per public the resurfacing work is also so poor that again the ATR’s re-surfaced area have developed potholes in many places.
Not only this after resurfacing, the height of the road surface has increased while the shoulder areas of the ATR inside Jarawa Reserve Forest, are still low, which causes damages to vehicles, while giving passage to vehicles coming from opposite direction.
In all road tender works the NHIDCL ask for hard shoulders on the both sides of the road but in case of this particular stretch there is no hard shoulder and hence public have been suffering loss due to damages in vehicles caused by the ATR.
While the ATR up-gradation works of NHIDCL from Bahtu Basti to Ferrargunj is very impressive, the work after Ferrargunj upto North Andaman is a major source of disappointment for public.
Hope the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman will make a surprise inspection of this said road stretch and take appropriate action for the safety of vehicles and people in ATR.
