Vikramaditya
Baratang Island, Sept 18: The deteriorating condition of the road from Nilambur Jetty to GSSS Oralkatcha has become a serious concern for both residents and tourists. This stretch, frequently used by visitors en route to popular tourist attractions like the Limestone Caves and Mud Volcano, witnesses heavy vehicular traffic daily.
Local residents and tour operators have repeatedly raised concerns about the poor condition of the road. Despite numerous letters to higher authorities, no permanent solution has been implemented to date. The road’s condition not only hampers daily commute but also affects the tourism experience in Baratang, a key revenue source for the local community.
Complaints are regularly received from local residents about traffic delays, often exacerbated by bad weather, causing long queues of vehicles at Nilambur Jetty. The bottleneck caused by such delays disrupts the movement of both residents and tourists, creating frustration and potential hazards.
In a surprising twist of priorities, the administration and government, known for their remarkable speed in renaming Port Blair to “Sri Vijaya Puram,” have shown a rather leisurely approach when it comes to addressing the day-to-day challenges faced by the public. While the renaming exercise was executed with record-breaking efficiency, one wonders why similar enthusiasm is missing when it comes to fixing basic issues like road repairs that impact the lives of thousands.
In light of these ongoing issues, the public of Baratang Island, alongside the tourism sector, has made an urgent appeal to the authorities for swift action. They request immediate intervention and necessary directions for repairing and upgrading the road to ensure smooth traffic flow and a better experience for all.
Perhaps, with a bit of luck, these concerns might one day find themselves on the fast track of the administration’s attention—after all, if a name can be changed overnight, surely fixing a road can’t be too much to ask.
