Senthik Kumar & John Wilbert
Port Blair, Apr 16: An accident case was registered in Police Station Rangat where a STS bus reportedly collided with Truck near Mariamma Temple of Rangat.

As per information received the STS bus bearing registration number AN 01 C 0398 collided with a Truck bearing registration number AN 01 C 3117 this afternoon.

The driver of the STS Bus namely Mr. Dilip Baroi, 45-year-old, a resident of Kausalya Nagar, sustained grievous injuries and had fractured in his leg.

As per sources nearly 50 passengers were onboard the STS bus, when the accident happened in which four passengers got minor injuries and were rushed to CHC Rangat in Ambulance.

Meanwhile, the driver of STS bus Mr. Dilip Baroi was referred to GB Pant Hospital. A police case has been registered in this regard it is learnt.

 

Port Blair, Apr 15: To tackle the recent surge in the COVID positive cases in the South Andaman and to prevent the further spread of virus the Administration has taken various proactive steps.
In this regard media briefing was held in the conference hall of District Office by Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner (SA), which was also attended by Mr. Ravi Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police (SA).
Addressing the media persons, the DC (SA) briefed that the Administration has already made full proof arrangements for compulsory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), free of cost for all incoming passengers at Veer Savarkar International Airport so as to curb the chance of any infected person getting through. He further stated that the passengers shall fill the prescribed forms for RAT test to be provided to them by the airlines. The passengers upon arrival would then be transported to Govt. Senior Secondary School, School Line and ITF ground for conduct of RAT tests.
The DC (SA) further informed that after the conduct of RAT test, the persons who are tested negative shall be allowed to proceed further. The passengers (if any) tested positive shall be shifted to Government run COVID Care Centres or designated private hotels on payment basis.
The SP(SA) further informed the media persons that stringent action is being initiated against COVID protocol violators and fine to the tune of 9 lakhs has been collected during the past week. Further for public involvement at large a dedicated telephone no.9531892228 has been set up for the pubic to register complaints against habitual defaulters.
The DC(SA) further urged the media persons to cooperate with the Administration in its fight against the virus and also to motivate the local populace in getting themselves vaccinated. He reiterated that the five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, COVID appropriate behaviour and vaccination will be meticulously implemented in South Andaman.

 

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Apr 12: One of the busiest stretches of road of Port Blair city, the road from Dairy Farm Junction to Hayat Singh Junction has been kept closed since 22.3.2021, for 30 days, for construction of culvert by APWD.
But now prominent citizens have expressed serious doubts over the ‘committed’ date for completion of the work, looking at the slow pace of work.
Many prominent Islanders contacted Andaman Sheekha and pointed out that even after 20 long days the work for construction of culvert seems to be mostly incomplete. “It doesn’t look that in another 10 days the work will be over as promised by Administration,” said a senior citizen of Dairy Farm area.
No doubt Traffic Police is doing tremendous work to divert traffic and making sure that there is not traffic jam on the diverted road but it seems that it is practically not possible to manage such huge traffic from Vijay Baugh road and it is very crucial that the work is completed on time.
Commuters of the road are now requesting the Chief Secretary and the DC of South Andaman to intervene into this matter and direct the APWD to complete the work well on time.

 

Port Blair, Apr 11: The four-day ‘Tika Utsav” or vaccination festival, aiming to inoculate maximum number of eligible people against coronavirus which started in A&N Islands today witnessed positive response from people. The vaccine drive which began on the Birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotiba Phule will culminate on 14th April on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

To facilitate beneficiaries with hassle free vaccination, today, the Directorate of Health Services established 30 session sites in almost all the Health Care Institutions, few field sites and 75 vaccination points across these Islands which will be increased in the coming days. It is noteworthy to mention that on the first day of the ‘Tika Utsav’ itself, about 2933 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in A&N Islands, setting a record of administration of vaccine on a single day.

People in the age group of above 45 years of age i.e. who are born before 01.01.1977 are eligible to take the vaccine in the nearest centers and if required additional booths will be opened. The centres are functioning on all days between 9.30 am and 4 pm for registration and vaccination and the time period is being extended post registration, if needed.

People have been requested to reach the centers in a staggered manner and local Community Based Organizations may extend all the hands to the health officials to conduct the session. Beneficiaries have also been requested to reach the nearest centres to get themselves vaccinated and make the ‘Tika Utsav’ a grand success in these Islands. All have been requested to follow COVID appropriate behavior by maintaining safe social distance ‘Do Gaj Ki Doori’, wash hand and face intermittently with soap and water ensuring 60 seconds of contact with soap and wearing appropriately masks in crowded places.

It is reiterated that the A & N Administration is committed to control the pandemic with the help of general public and adopting the approach of Tracking Testing and Treating ILI/COVID-19 cases. In addition to the vaccination, all should adopt the COVID Appropriate Behavior ‘Dawai bhi aur kadhai bhi’.

Political Parties, Religious Organizations and Civil Society Organizations have also been requested to encourage and mobilize the general public to take the vaccine at the earliest in the nearest vaccination centre.

People have also been informed that COVISHIELD vaccine is safe and it has been administered to more than 34000 beneficiaries as on date in these Islands, without any complications. All persons in the age group of 45 and above have been requested to take the vaccine except pregnant and lactating mother. Any person having any other sickness may also take the vaccine on priority. It is advised that people who are allergic to certain drugs may consult doctor before taking the vaccine.

Viramaditya

Port Blair, April 9: Considering sudden spike in Corona cases, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration sought the support of the local media to spread awareness among Islanders to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Secretary Tourism & IP, Mr. S K Singh and the Secretary Social Welfare, Mr. S K Jha, addressed media persons today in this regard. The Secretary Tourism and Information Publicity, urged the local media to run awareness campaigns through its medium to sensitize people on the need to follow safety measures to contain the spread of the disease. He said that weekly media interactions will be held to update about the status of COVID-19 in these islands.
Further, he said that people of the age of 45 years and above should get themselves inoculated immediately against the disease. The Secretary of Tourism and IP also asked people to beware of fake news spread on social media platforms relating to treatment and vaccination of COVID-19. “A committee has been constituted to monitor fake news on COVID-19 being circulated in these islands,” he added.

Port Blair, Apr 06: Marketplaces are visited by large number of people for their daily needs, shopping, entertainment, and food. Amid COVID pandemic, with gradual opening of economic activities, markets are witnessing high footfalls. Such large gatherings, without observance of COVID-9 appropriate behaviour have the potential to spread Coronavirus disease.

In order to articulate COVID appropriate behavior in the market area, Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman along with Shri. Ravi Kumar Singh, IPS, Superintendent of Police started special drive in Aberdeen Market area where public announcement were made along with enforcement of social distancing through penalizing defaulters.

The owners of Tanas Textiles, Tamil Nadu Medicals, City Shopping Centre and Milan Bakery were penalized for disobeying District Administration’s order for COVID appropriate behavior. General public are requested to obey directions issued from time to time by the District Administration to check the spread of COVID-19 in the Islands. Observance of physical distancing in crowded places, especially in markets and public transport are also critical for containing the spread of the infection. The SOPs issued to regulate crowds in market places, shall be strictly enforced by the district administration.

The District Administration shall take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and physical distancing must be ensured. In order to enforce this core requirement, the District Administration shall consider administrative actions, including the imposition of appropriate fines, on persons not wearing face masks in public and workspaces. The District Administration shall ensure the accountability of the officers concerned in this regard.

Further, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman along with Superintendent of Police, South Andaman and representatives of Health Department, CISF, AAI also visited VSI Airport to oversee testing facilities. Directions were given to concerned officials to implement random RAT at the airport. Passengers are also requested to cooperate with the District Administration in curbing the COVID-19 cases in the Islands.

The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman reiterated that five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination should be meticulously implemented.

 

 

Port Blair, Apr 05: Keeping in view the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the UTs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands which has been a cause of great concern, the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Mr. Suneel Anchipaka has urged the Nodal Officer of COVID-19 in Andaman, to start decentralized COVID Vaccination Centres at Garacharma, Chouldari & Ferrargunj from 6th April 2021 onwards.

During an urgent meeting called today he said that this has to be done with the motive to outreach the vaccination programme at community level for the benefit of the local populace and minimize the public movement.

The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman has also urged all eligible citizens (above 45 age group) to register themselves on the Co-WIN portal or Aarogya Setu App and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

During the meeting it was informed by Health Department that that presently under South Andaman District, five COVID Vaccination Centres have been set up and a total of 19, 420 beneficiaries are registered for COVID vaccination, out of which 16, 432 have been administered the vaccine.

2914 Health Care Workers, 5616 Front Level Workers and 4241 citizens have got themselves vaccinated with the first dose of the COVID-19.

1737 Health Care Workers, 1896 Front Level Workers and 28 Citizens have been administered second dose of vaccine.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner (SA) further stressed that the Standard Operating Procedures are to be scrupulously followed and enforcement of Test-Track-Treat Protocol to be ensured all over South Andamans.

He also articulated on five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination to be scrupulously followed.

At present there are 57 active cases of COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and till now altogether 5109 people have been tested positive in the UT, out of which 4990 people have recovered. Altogether 62 cases of death have been reported in A & N Islands due to COVID-19.