Member of Parliament Demands Resuming of 6.00 AM Convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait

Details

Suggests Increasing the Number of Convoys

Port Blair, Nov. 26: The Member of Parliament, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Administration to resume 6.00 AM convoy and also to increase the number of Convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait to four.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament today said that the unemployed youths associated with Tourism Industry in Baratang Island are suffering heavy loss because large numbers of Tourists are unable to reach Baratang Island due to the limit of allowing only 90 vehicles in 8.30 AM convoy from Jirkatang.

He said that atleast 20 to 30 tourist vehicles are not getting permission on daily basis to travel to Baratang from Jirkatang, which is not only causing loss to Tour Operators of Port Blair and Boat Operators of Baratang but also leaving a bad impression about Andaman on the visiting Tourists.

The MP pointed out that most of the Tour Operators of Port Blair and Boat Operators of Baratang are unemployed youths, who have taken loan from Banks to run Tourism Activities in Andamans but due to the pandemic and lockdowns, they have already suffered a huge loss in recent past. Now when things have become normal, they are unable to reap the benefits because of these restrictions.

He mentioned that there are three convoys from Middle Strait for Jirkatang at 6.30 AM, 11.30 AM and 2.30 PM but there are only two convoys from Jirkatang to Middle Strait, even when there is more pressure of passengers and tourists from Jirkatang side.

Sharma added that together with tourists, residents of the North Andaman region are also going through difficult times due to the availability of only two convoys from Jirkatang to the Middle Strait that too late in the morning.

For Islanders, especially those who are traveling to Diglipur and other parts of North Andaman, the early morning convoy at 6.00 AM is the best option as they can reach their destination before evening.  Presently in 8.30 AM convoy, often because of vehicle breakdowns, adverse weather conditions, or delay in vehicle ferry movements, the ATR passengers reach Diglipur by late-night, which is both risky and troublesome.

The Member of Parliament said that when normalcy has returned in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the number of flights has increased there is also a need to increase the number of Convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait to four, as it was before the lockdowns.