Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 11: During the day-long visit of the Chief Secretary to Baratang Island today, representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of Baratang met him at the Forest Guest House and raised several important issues concerning infrastructure development, public amenities, transportation and connectivity in the island. The representatives apprised the Chief Secretary of the difficulties faced by local residents and tourists due to inadequate public facilities and irregular transport services and urged the administration to take immediate steps to address these long-pending concerns.
The Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh of South Andaman Zilla Parishad, who is also the ZP member of the Island, Mr. R Alager Swami, the Pradhan of Nilambur Panchayat, Mrs. Sumari Roy, former Pradhan of Nilambur Panchayat Mr. Roy George, Pradhan of Sundergarh Panchayat, Mrs. Sarla Krishnan and other PRI members were present during the meeting.
During the meeting, the Pradhan of Nilambur Panchayat submitted a detailed memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary, seeking necessary intervention and directions to the concerned departments. The memorandum outlined six major demands for improving basic infrastructure and public amenities in Baratang Island.
Construction of Waiting Shed at Nilambur Jetty: The Gram Panchayat has demanded the construction of a properly designed waiting shed at Nilambur Jetty, which serves as a major landing and embarkation point for tourists and local passengers visiting Baratang. At present, the absence of an adequate waiting facility forces passengers to remain exposed to direct sunlight and rainfall while waiting for boat services. The memorandum has requested that a spacious waiting shed with proper seating arrangements and basic passenger amenities be constructed on the newly extended jetty to provide relief to passengers.
Dedicated Parking Facility at Nilambur Market: Highlighting the increasing movement of tourists and vehicles around Nilambur Market and the jetty, the memorandum has sought the identification and allotment of suitable land for developing a proper parking facility. Due to the absence of designated parking space, vehicles are frequently parked along both sides of the road between Nilambur Jetty and the APWD Guest House, creating traffic congestion and inconvenience for tourists, passengers and local residents, particularly during peak tourist hours. The Gram Panchayat has also requested the administration to consider providing two large vehicle ferry boats instead of smaller vessels to facilitate smoother transportation and reduce congestion in the area.
Handover of Existing Godown Premises for Public Amenities: The PRI representatives have also demanded that the existing timber godown and damaged old godown premises near Nilambur Jetty be handed over to the Gram Panchayat for the development of essential public facilities. According to the memorandum, these structures are presently in a dilapidated condition and are understood to be situated on Revenue land, with the land and structures not having been formally allotted to the Forest Department. Considering the increasing tourist footfall, the Panchayat has proposed developing modern toilet facilities, a dedicated waiting shed for tourists and a separate feeding room for mothers travelling with infants. It has requested the administration to examine the land status and take necessary steps for handing over or allotting the premises along with the required land to the Gram Panchayat.
Restoration of Regular Bus Services Towards Diglipur and Rangat: Raising serious concerns over the irregularity of public transport, the memorandum has sought restoration of the earlier regular daily early-morning bus service from Baratang towards Diglipur, which used to depart at 4 AM but was discontinued after the COVID-19 pandemic. The existing alternate-day service is also reportedly irregular, with occasional cancellations and inadequate advance information to passengers. The memorandum pointed out that residents of Baratang frequently need to visit Mayabunder to access important government offices, including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, District Court, Revenue Office, Zilla Parishad and PRI headquarters. Similarly, the 6 AM bus service towards Rangat is essential for residents visiting the Tehsildar’s Office, Assistant Commissioner’s Office, Block Development Office, APWD headquarters and other important establishments. The Panchayat has therefore demanded that both services be operated regularly according to fixed schedules, with proper advance public information in case of cancellations.
Replacement of Old Buses and Posting of Mechanical Staff: The memorandum has further highlighted the deteriorating condition of buses operating under the Baratang Unit, stating that several vehicles are considerably old and frequently require repairs, resulting in service disruptions. Since alternative transport facilities such as auto-rickshaws and taxis are not available in Baratang, breakdowns of buses cause considerable inconvenience to the public. The Panchayat has requested that the existing buses be assessed and unserviceable or ageing vehicles be replaced wherever necessary. It has also sought the posting of adequate mechanical staff at the Baratang Unit to ensure timely maintenance and repairs without depending on outside assistance.
Adequate Stock of Essential Spare Parts and Maintenance Materials: Another important demand concerns the shortage of essential spare parts required for the maintenance of buses at the Baratang Unit. The memorandum stated that whenever express buses break down, they are brought to Baratang for urgent repairs, during which available spare parts meant for local buses are also utilised. However, replenishment of these parts often takes considerable time, sometimes up to a week, leaving the Baratang Unit facing shortages and affecting the maintenance of its own buses. The Panchayat has therefore requested that adequate stocks of essential spare parts, including engine components, brake parts, tyres, belts and other commonly required maintenance materials, be maintained at the Baratang Unit to ensure timely repairs and uninterrupted public transport services.
The memorandum further emphasised that Baratang’s geographical isolation and limited availability of alternative transportation make these facilities particularly important for the island’s residents. It urged the Chief Secretary to examine all six issues and issue necessary directions to the concerned departments for appropriate action at the earliest.
The Gram Panchayat Nilambur has assured the concerned departments of its full cooperation in this regard, expressing hope that the demands will receive due consideration and that concrete steps will be taken to improve the living conditions of residents, facilitate tourism and strengthen public transportation and essential services across Baratang Island.
