Senthil Kumar & Sarthak Kanjilal
Rangat, June 07: Many Residents of North and Middle Andaman claimed that restoring the timings of convoy in the Andaman Trunk Road will be of great help for movement, without any concern, as all the Districts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have already been declared as green zone.
As of now, there is only one convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait and one from Middle Strait to Jirkatang. Around 150 vehicles that include tankers, trucks, small vehicles etc are crossing in the said convoy everyday, which results in a huge delay for the ATR Commuters, especially those who are in private cars.
Presently, the only convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait is at 12 noon and because of this people who are driving their own car, often reach Diglipur after mid-night, sometimes even at 1.00 AM or 2.00 AM, “One can understand the problems of driving during the night in this weather, considering the poor condition of road,” said a driver of the cargo-carrying van on condition of anonymity.
Medical tests at Middle Strait for people going towards Port Blair and medical tests at Jirkatang for the people heading towards North and Middle Andaman are said to be the major reasons behind the delay by many ATR commuters.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Dipankar Mistry, Adhyaksh, North and Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad said that the Cargo carrying vans have increased their rates by giving reasons for the delay in the ATR.
“The increase in charges of the cargo-carrying van is reflecting in the market and is affecting the common man, hence, when all Districts in these Islands have been declared as green zone, restoring all the convoy timings of ATR will be appreciated,” Mr. Mistry requested.
Andaman Sheekha contacted the District Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman, Mr. Awanish Kumar in this regard and he said that the matter came to his knowledge recently and he also considered it to be a valid point. “I will speak to the Tribal Welfare Secretary in this regard,” the DC added.
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