Ganeshan
Baratang, Feb 22: Every mega construction work often displaces dozens of dozens of people. There is no exception in Baratang region, where the forest clearance work has begun for the construction of bridge from Middle Strait to Oralkatcha village of Baratang Island.
According to reports, there are as many as 10 families in Baratang Islands, who will now have to vacate their houses so that the bridge can be made. Out of these 10 families nearly six families are living in revenue land with proper documents.
This was shocking for them when this week a group of people from NHIDCL reportedly told them that they will have to vacate the house.
Residents allege that they neither got any prior information for the same nor they got any notice from government for such eviction. “How can Administration or a private agency ask us to vacate,” questions an old resident of Oralkatcha.
Today the Tehsilder of the area reportedly visited the Oralkatcha village and also echoed the same words of eviction. However, he verbally told that equal amount of land will be allotted to the affected families, but verbal promises never stand in court.
Families, who will suffer the burnt, told Andaman Sheekha that they understand that the bridge is important and they have no problem to vacate, if they are given enough time and suitable compensation. “We have old people and children in our family where would we go?” questioned one person.
A group of residents are now planning to meet the DC North and Middle Andaman in this regard at Mayabunder on Monday. This is sad to note that planning and design of the bridge is ready since last nearly two years but officially these families were never intimated by Administration, regarding eviction.
