Trinath & Sarthak Kanjilall
Kadamtala, November 01: Since the starting point of the only STS Bus, providing a single trip between Kadamtala to Rangat has been changed to Shantanu, the daily commuters to Rangat of Uttara Village are facing enormous difficulties.
The decision of changing the starting point of the bus from Uttara Jetty to Shantanu has brought a lot of criticism from the villagers.
“Since the decision has been implemented we are forced to spend around Rs 60 to reach Shantanu in an Auto rickshaw,” said a resident of Uttara.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, a daily rated mazdoor on condition of anonymity said that we earn hardly 6-8 thousand a month, and spending Rs 1500 monthly for auto to reach the bus stop is a big deal for us.
“We aren’t against any decision of the administration if they would have compensated us with the cost incurred for traveling or had provided us with some alternative to reach Shantanu,” said another daily commuter of Rangat.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Sampad Kumar Roy Social worker and political leadrer said that the administration took this decision after 07 AAJVS workers providing their services at the Uttara Jetty were tested positive.
However, he said that all of them had been home quarantined, hence, the administration should have sanitized the area and operated the bus. “The administration should not make the others suffer,” said Mr. Roy.
The AC of the region however refused to comment on this issue. When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Assistant Commissioner of Rangat, Dr. Dhole Aom Kashinathrao,said that he is not authorized to comment on any media platform.
The residents of Uttara are facing the issue since 24th October 2020, hope the District Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman will intervene into this matter and support the villagers of the region.
