Port Blair, Nov 09: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today requested the Lt. Governor to re-start the first convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait at 6.00 AM in the morning hours.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor the Member of Parliament mentioned that during lockdowns, there was a restriction in the movement towards North and Middle Andaman and during the same time, the numbers of ATR convoys were also reduced from both Jirkatang and Middle Strait sides.
He added that earlier the first convoy from Jirkatang towards Middle Strait was at 6.00 AM and since lockdown, the timing of the first convoy from Jirkatang was changed to 8.30 AM.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that now as the number of Tourists are growing every day, the tour operators and general public are demanding to start the first convoy at 6.00 AM from Jirkatang so that tourists, visiting Baratang can comfortably return back to Port Blair on the same day after visiting the mud volcano, limestone caves in Baratang Island.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma said that for Islanders, especially those who are traveling to Diglipur and other parts of North Andaman, the early morning convoy at 6.00 AM is the best option for them. In that case, they can reach their destination before evening. In the case of 8.30 AM convoy often because of vehicle breakdownS, adverse weather conditions, or delay in vehicle ferry movements, the ATR passengers reach Diglipur by late-night, which is risky and troublesome.
Based on these points, the Member of Parliament requested the Lt. Governor to kindly re-start the first convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait at 6.00 AM in the morning hours so that people related to the Tourism Industry can operate tourists conveniently and ATR travel becomes more comfortable for Islanders.
