Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Mar 06: Pressure on Andaman Roads is increasing day by day as nearly 30 new vehicles are registered everyday and nearly 9000 every year. One can imagine what would be the condition of city roads after five years. Andaman Sheekha team spoke to different prominent individuals of these Islands who are directly or indirectly connected with this subject. Andaman Sheekha also tried to understand whether imposing heavy tax on every new vehicles, is the only answer to regulate entry of news vehicles in Andaman?
N Rashid
Dy. S.P, Traffic Department
A & N Police
There are two possible solutions. The first solution will be to impose Octroi on entry of every vehicle in theseIslandsas it happens in many other states. Second solution will be to restrict entry of vehicles considering the bearing capacity ofA & NIslands. In one family one four wheeler should be allowed.
B Binoy,
Mechanical Engineer, Transport Department &
Secretary, of State Transport Authority.
If Islanders are purchasing vehicles, we can’t stop them from doing so. Our Department can’t broaden roads. What we can do is to strengthen the public transport network system. For this we are inducting nearly 25 new STS Busses for various routes. This will minimise pressure from Andaman roads.
Sharan Kumar Nanda,
CEO, Agency House, Port Blair
Imposing tax of new vehicles will not solve the problem. Everyone likes to have a car as it is a sign of prosperity. Person spending 4 to 5 lakhs rupees on a car will not mind paying Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 extra as tax.
The right solution to this problem will be construction of flyovers and tunnels. Some roads must be declared ‘one way’ in city.
K Chandrasekharan,
CEO, Chevrolet, Dealership A & N Isalnds
The only solution to this problem is to scrap a four wheeler after 15 years, because that is the actual life span of a car. Administration should not give fitness to vehicles after its lifespan is over, as it happens in many foreign countries. Old vehicles create more noise and air pollution.
