Trinath & Sarthak Kanjilall
Mayabunder, Nov 23: Curtailing the number of STS buses to North and Middle Andaman from Port Blair and vice versa have become a major problem for many Islanders, especially those, who can’t afford to pay Rs. 2000 or above for a seat in private four wheelers to reach Port Blair from North and Middle Andaman. Hence many residents of Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep are still stuck in North and Middle Andaman.
Residents of the region are demanding the administration to restore the ship services, as it was before the lockdown period.
According to the Ex-Pradhan, Pahelgaon, Mr. Shivananda Bairagi, after he highlighted the problems to the authorities, ship MV Coral Queen, was sent in the region a week ago.
“Hundreds of residents of North and Middle Andaman have different urgent works related revenue, health, studies etc at Port Blair, Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep. The STS buses take hardly 20 passengers as a result of which many remote Islanders of North and Middle Andaman have no option rather than paying Rs 2000 or above per head to travel till Port Blair in four-wheelers,” said Mr. Bairagi.
He further said that if the ship services between Port Blair to Mayabunder and Diglipur via Swaraj and Shaheed Dweep and Port Blair to Rangat via Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep are resumed, it will bring huge relief for the people of these regions.
“Don’t stop the services, let the people follow the guidelines,” Mr. Bairagi added.
Less number of buses and ships not only means problems for public but also huge economic losses for people of North and Middle Andaman. As the entire world is learning to live with the COVID-19 virus, by following all COVID-19 protocol, the Administration should also focus on implementing these guidelines strictly, instead of restricting movement of public.
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