Medium Buses means Maximum problems for remote Islands

DJ Venkatesh & Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Sept 13: Some real bad news are waiting for people, living in rural areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as very soon the Administration is planning to send as many as 62 medium size buses in different villages of these Islands.

People in many areas are already fuming over this issue and have been demanding bigger buses for their village but instead of listening to public, the Administration is all set to shove more 62 medium size buses down their throat, for reasons unknown.

Villagers allege that these medium size buses are unbelievably congested and there is no space between seats. Moreover there isn’t much space for people to stand inside these buses.

“These buses are good for tourism but not good for village transportation. Large number of people in remote areas travel as long as 25- 30 km in these buses with their farm equipments, luggage and other house hold stuffs, but in medium buses they can’t even stand properly,” said an angry villager of Diglipur Island.

Now the question arises why the Transport Department purchased 62 medium size buses when remote villagers do not want them.

When contacted, there was nobody in the Transport Department to give reply to these questions.

But a senior officer of the Transport Department told Andaman Sheekha that 62 medium size buses and eight long buses have already been purchased by the Administration, which will reach these Islands, soon.

However, he said that as the Director of Transport is out of station he is unable to give answer to any of the question raised by Andaman Sheekha, regarding purchase of large number of medium size buses.

Now villagers of remote islands urge the Lt. Governor to look into this matter and find out why the Administration is purchasing such buses, which would probably of no use in remote Islands. Is it because of the kick back or there are other good reasons? Now the million dollar question is whether the Lt. Governor will inquire into this matter and fix responsibility on some officers for purchasing these medium size buses, which means maximum trouble for Islanders?