John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Aug 26: A major land-sliding was reported this morning, near the Middle Strait Jarawa Protection Post, which disrupted the ATR traffic and caused heavy inconvenience to the bus passengers of both the sides.
As per information the land-sliding area is located nearly 400 mtr before the Middle Strait JPP.
When the matter was reported to police, the first convoy of ATR from Jirkatang was delayed for some time, after which only small cars and SUVs were allowed to cross the area, while buses were not allowed to leave Jirkatang, considering the high risk of further land slide.
Later by afternoon, after making special arrangements, buses along with passengers, stranded at Jirkatang, were allowed to reach upto land-sliding area of Middle Strait. From there, they were made to walk the 400 mtr upto JPP Middle Strait, from Middle Strait they were allowed to reach Nilambur Jetty of Baratang by Vehicle Ferry Vessels.
Finally at Nilambur Jetty passengers were provided other buses for onwards journey towards North and Middle Andaman. Similar arrangements were made for passengers, who were stranded at Baratang for their onwards journey towards Port Blair.
It is believed that the road will be made motorable for buses by tomorrow evening. It is still now clear whether Buses and Cargo trucks will be allowed in ATR tomorrow. Officials of NHIDCL were unavailable for a comment in this regard.
