Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, August 03: Call it a major judgment of error or a decision, taken without looking at the ground realities, the step to reduce the number vehicle ferries between Chatham and Bambooflat to contain spread of COVID19 Virus, is resulting in huge crowding at both Bambooflat and Chatham Jetty on daily basis. Under such situation when people compete to reach to their destination as early as possible social distancing becomes the last priority for them.
Although the police team at Jetties are doing their level best to maintain gaps between people, but during rush it is impossible to think about social distancing by public.
A large number of people who use the vehicle ferry services daily basis could be seen standing one after the other in the queue to get into the vehicle ferry, although the distance supposed to be maintained is not followed, when they are in rush.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Abdul Aziz, a senior Congress leader and the resident of the Bambooflat area said that instead of increasing the number of ferries to reduce the gathering in the boat, the DSS has chosen to decrease the number of ferries, “the decrease in the number of the vehicle ferries will automatically increase the number of passengers,” said the senior Congress party leader.
“Already there is a massive surge in the number of Corona cases in the South Andaman District and in this situation, if such a decision is taken by the administration, it is a matter of grave concern,” said a resident of Wimberlygunj on condition of anonymity.
Due to the decrease in the number of ferries and change in timings the daily users of the boat service are going through a tough time and hence, they have demanded the Directorate of Shipping Services to increase the number of ordinary as well as Vehicle ferries in the aforesaid sector to reduce crowding. (Pic Courtesy: Sajid Shan, Bambooflat)
