Gracy Tripathy
Port Blair, Oct 01: Raising crucial issue, the Pradhan of Swaraj Dweep has demanded for proper infrastructure and planning before opening Swaraj Dweep for tourists and outsiders from mainland India.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman Mr Ajit Kumar Roy, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Govind Nagar said that it is no doubt that the primary industry and source of livelihood in Swaraj Dweep and indeed the whole of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tourism, and in order to kick start the economy of these Islands, it is necessary to plan accordingly.
He further mentioned that, it is necessary to accept and address the challenges that exist, especially in Swaraj Dweep. The primary concern is of COVID-19 entry in the Island and the increase in the cases may be fuelled by arrival of both local as well as of mainland tourists.
Mr. Roy said that as of now, the medical facilities and preparedness is not at all adequate, neither for the residents and certainly nor for the huge number of tourists, who would pay visit to the Islands.
He further elaborated many points on the current infrastructure and services wherein no facilities of are provided for Intensive Care or Critical Care COVID Isolation Center, Separate COVID Ward, Ventilator support for emergency and Specialised Medical Care.
“While such facilities may be there at Port Blair, provision of such facilities at Swaraj Dweep Island will build confidence among the residents of the Island as well as visiting tourists,” he mentioned.
