Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 24: Mr. TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of ANTCC, has called upon the A&N Administration to address several long-standing issues affecting the tribal population of Car Nicobar Island.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Bhasker expressed his concerns over the incomplete construction of Sea Wall near Mus Jetty, which has resulted in severe soil erosion and reduction in draft, making safe vessel operations difficult.
He added that the road condition in Car Nicobar has deteriorated due to the frequent movement of heavy vehicles servicing defense operations. To mitigate further damage, Mr. Bhasker proposed the allocation of alternative land near the defense zone for a temporary jetty, allowing direct cargo unloading and relieving stress on the island’s road network.
Mr. Bhasker further stressed on the need for urgent repairs and infrastructure upgrades in Mus Jetty. He also raised public health concerns stemming from unmaintained septic tanks in post-tsunami shelters.
In addition, Mr. Bhasker flagged the frequent shortage of essential fuels such as LPG, petrol, and diesel, primarily due to irregular shipping services. He criticized the deteriorating condition of vessels like MV Sentinel and recommended deploying more reliable ships such as MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu on critical routes connecting Kalighat to Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay.
“Access to education is also impacted, with parents finding it difficult to visit the JNV (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya) on the island due to tribal pass restrictions”, stated Mr. Bhasker. He called for a streamlined process or the creation of a liaison point to facilitate easier communication between parents and school authorities.
He further drew attention to the acute shortage and poor condition of government quarters, which are often shared by multiple staff members. The lack of proper accommodation has led to staff reluctance in accepting postings to the island. Compounding the issue is the poor state of the BJR Hospital, which suffers from a lack of medical equipment, specialist doctors, and essential diagnostic services. The absence of functioning X-ray and ultrasound facilities severely hampers healthcare access for the tribal population.
Mr. Bhasker concluded by urging the Chief Secretary to personally intervene and take swift action on these critical matters. He emphasized that timely administrative response is vital to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and dignity of the indigenous communities of Car Nicobar.
