Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Nov 21: In a very positive move the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has excused Ambulances from the convoy restrictions of Andaman Trunk Road.
For several years Ambulances were immune to convoy restrictions and were free to cross the Tribal Reserve Forest area of Andaman Trunk Road, as and when required but since last few months some restrictions were put on movement of Ambulances, which bring serious patients from remote North and Middle Andaman region to Port Blair city, for specialty treatment.
Andaman Trunk Road passes through Tribal Reserve Forest in two stretches and in the stretch between Jirkatang and Middle Strait all vehicles can only move in four convoys, as per the directions of Supreme Court.
This has been done to ensure minimum contact of outside world with primitive Jarawa tribes, living in the Tribal Reserve Forest.
At present convoys from Jirkatang are allowed only at 6.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 12.00 noon and 2.30 pm while convoys from the other side, Middle Strait is allowed only at 6.30 AM, 9.30 AM, 12.30 noon and 3.00 PM.
For some months Ambulances going to Port Blair could only return in these convoys, forcing the Ambulances to wait for several hours to reach respective hospitals in North and Middle Andaman regions.
“In many areas there are only one Ambulance and if the Ambulance gets struck on the other side due to convoy restrictions, what would we do in case of any emergency?” said Mr. Alagar Swamy the Zilla Parishad Member of Baratang region.
Alagar Swamy said that when the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands recently visited Baratang region this matter was highlighted infront of him and within a few days the restrictions on the movement of Ambulances on ATR has been withdrawn.
“This decision has brought a great sense of relief for people of North and Middle Andaman region and I express my gratitude for the Lt. Governor for taking such decision,” Swamy said.
Meanwhile sources in Police Department have confirmed that such orders has been received by police Jawans posted at both the check posts of Jirkatang and Middle Strait but with every Ambulance, as per direction, a special guard will accompany in Tribal Reserve Forest, to ensure no contact with Jarawa Tribes.
