John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 16: Residents of Netaji Nagar, Ram Nagar, Vivekananda Pur, and Rabindra Nagar in the Little Andaman area are still awaiting the reconstruction of the steel bridge over the Netaji Nagar Nallah. The bridge was dismantled by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) three years ago, but work on the new bridge is yet to commence.
The steel bridge, which was constructed nearly 20 years ago, was a crucial link connecting several areas in the region. According to Mr. PK Halder, President of Andaman and Nicobar Democratic Congress and former member of Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Council, the absence of the bridge has caused significant inconvenience to the locals. “The alternate small route provided by APWD is not enough, especially during heavy traffic and rainy season. It is affecting the connectivity of the region,” he told Andaman Sheekha.
In response to the delay, a senior officer of APWD told Andaman Sheekha Daily that the construction of the bridge had been awarded to a private company. However, the work was affected by the COVID-19 lockdown and the unavailability of quarry material. The officer assured that the work would commence soon, given that the quarry had resumed operations. “We have warned the company to start the work, and they have assured us that the base work will be completed within two months, provided the weather conditions are favorable,” the officer stated.
Meanwhile, the locals continue to suffer the consequences of the delayed reconstruction. The absence of the bridge has hampered their mobility and affected their daily lives. The authorities are urged to expedite the work on the bridge to restore connectivity to the area.
The delay in the reconstruction of the Netaji Nagar Nallah bridge is a clear example of the challenges faced by infrastructure projects in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the situation is challenging, it is essential for the authorities to ensure that the work is completed without further delay, to restore the normalcy of the region.
