Port Blair, Apr 03: The negligence of the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) in clearing construction materials and other obstacles from the roadsides has yet again claimed the life of a young man in Bambooflat, claims Ms. VD Leju, a social worker from Hope Town,
Ms. VD Leju has written a letter to the Chief Engineer of APWD, expressing her strong protest against the department’s failure to take necessary action.
In her letter, Ms. VD Leju highlighted that she had written to the Chief Engineer in February 2023, following the death of a teacher in a tragic road accident at Bambooflat. He had personally met with the Chief Engineer on 14th February 2023 and had drawn his attention towards the construction materials piled on roadsides and other obstacles that caused fatal accidents. The Chief Engineer had assured her that he would issue necessary directions to the Executive Engineers of all Divisions to take immediate necessary action to ensure the safety of the general public of these islands.
“However, 45 days had passed since their meeting, and there was no change in the scenario. The Chief Engineer failed to construct speed breakers at accident-prone areas, and construction materials were still found dumped on roadsides, causing problems to the commuters,” she alleged.
On 30th March 2023, a 22-year-old youth of Bambooflat Panchayat lost his life when his motorbike skid on the road due to the construction materials strewn on the road. He died on the spot, and Ms. VD Leju held the negligence of the APWD responsible for his death.
She stated that the APWD was liable to face the music under sections 299, 300 & 304a of the Indian Penal Code and could face prosecution under Article 226 of the Constitution for dereliction of duty and negligence that deprived this youth of his fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Ms. VD Leju expressed her disappointment with the civic authorities’ carelessness towards the life and property of the general public of these islands. She urged the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of the general public and not wait for a tragedy to occur to spring into action.
