Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Nov 19: Entire North and Middle Andaman received almost zero rainfall in last few days, which is a good news for ATR commuters as driving on earthen Andaman Trunk is comparatively easier than muddy ATR. But this very short dry spell has brought a major problem for people of North and Middle Andaman, especially children.
Thick cloud of dust over various stretches of Andaman Trunk Road has made it impossible for children to even walk on the road to reach school or home. In many places the visibility also becomes very less after movement of any heavy vehicles, which can cause a major accident in coming days.
“I feel sad to see little children walking through thick cloud of dust over ATR. By the time they reach school they are covered with dust. Such unbelievable amount of dust will surely cause serious health hazard to children. Often children complain about uneasiness in breathing while crossing ATR,” said an angry parent of Middle Andaman.
For two wheeler and auto riders driving through ATR, especially behind a heavy vehicles is almost impossible these days due to thick cloud of dust formed behind the heavy vehicles. “One can’t drive two-wheeler over ATR these days without wearing goggles,” said a daily ATR commuter.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, a resident of the area Mr Mukul Mondol said that the residents were already suffering from backache due to the bumpy and pot-holed roads now after the monsoon has gone instead of oxygen, we are inhaling dust inside, while travelling in this stretch,” Mr Mondol added.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, a doctor, on the condition of anonymity, said that dust entering the human body may result in causing asthma, allergies, obstructive pulmonary diseases etc. “as all knows that continuous inhalation of dust is more dangerous than smoking tobacco, hence, this could have affected the children, if dust is more in the stretch it has to be minimized immediately, otherwise the consequences will be serious,” the doctor added.
Forget about children even grown- ups are facing difficulties to breathe in such air while travelling.
There is a serious need now that administration must take some steps to minimize dust pollution in and around Andaman Trunk Road by directing the NH Contractors to spray water or by any other means.
