Ganesh, Savita & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jun 16: A major land sliding has been reported this morning from Jarawa Tribal Reserve Area, 16KM inside Jirkatang check post.
As per report the land sliding occurred after 07:30 AM and the same was reported to Jirkatang check post at around 07:45 AM, following which the vehicles in first convoy of Jirkatang was not allowed to cross Jirkatang check post at 8.00 AM. As a result nearly 40 vehicles got standard at Jirkatang check post.
However the first convoy from Middle Strait which started at 06:00 AM could manage to cross the area and reached Jirkatang check post by 07:30 AM. It is believed that after the movement of first convoy form Middle Strait, the land sliding happened.
As per report the contractors of NHIDCL have been already working on the landslide area but because their passes were not ready today they could not go inside for work this morning, but after the landslide reports, they were allowed to go inside.
It was learnt that by evening 04:30 PM the land sliding was temporarily repaired for movements of light vehicles only.
According to reports at around 5.00 PM the movement of vehicles was allowed from Jirkatang to Middle Strait in which 18 vehicles were allowed to go.
Similarly, vehicles of the second gate which got stranded at Baratang were allowed to proceed by 06:00 PM from Middle Strait. Some passengers (which included some patients) stranded at Baratang were accommodated at Forest and APWD guest house temporarily.
Although the road has been temporarily repaired today, giving huge relief to ATR commuters, heavy vehicles are still not allowed. During the time of pandemic it may affect the movement of essential supplies to NMA District.
As per information received the NHIDCL workers will work further to repair the road permanently tomorrow so that heavy vehicles can also easily cross the area. The reason of landslide is said to be heavy rain and ongoing repair works.
