Port Blair, Feb 12: Here is a bad news for Andaman Trunk Road commuters. The Forest Department has reportedly halted the Andaman Trunk Road upgradation work in some portions of Baratang ATR Stretch.
ATR commuters are well aware that in entire ATR stretch, the road from Nilambur Jetty to Gandhi Ghat Jetty is considered to be the worst stretch of road. Few days back when NHIDCL started road repair works, ATR commuters breathe a sigh of relief but now it has been informed that on 8th February 2020 the ATR upgradation work has been halted by DFO, Baratang showing some rules of FCA 1980 Act.
Meanwhile former Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang, Mr. G Kurma Rao has informed Andaman Sheekha that the DC, North and Middle Andaman has been intimated in this regard. He informed that DC has assured of all possible steps in this regard.
For ATR user, this means no relief from Bumpy roads in some portions of Baratang ATR Stretch.
Meanwhile talking to Andaman Sheekha the present Up-Adhyaksh of North and Middle Zilla Parishad, Mr. Alegar Swamy has expressed his deep anguish over this issue. He said that long back revenue department had given “Right of Way” to APWD to construct and repair ATR in Baratang area and on 2017 during handing over of the ATR to NHIDCL, the “Right of Way” was handed over to NHIDCL by APWD and hence NHIDCL has all rights to carryout upgradation works.
“If such works were not halted in past, why it is done now? If ATR upgradation is allowed in all other Forest Stretches, why in this stretch the Forest Deparment has problem? ATR is life line for public and this kind of unwanted restrictions will hurt development of these Islands. I request Administration to immediately intervene into this matter,” said Mr. Alegar Swamy.
Mr Alegar Swamy has also threatened to conduct mass dharna in this matter if NHIDCL is not allowed to complete ATR up-gradation works.
