Port Blair, March 21: The Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor to order resumption of all four convoys between Jirkatang and Middle Strait (both sides), as existed before COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament said that because of COVID-19 pandemic, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration had reduced the number of convoys from Jirkatang to the Middle Strait nearly two years back to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus and control movement of people from one District to another.
He added that presently due to tremendous efforts made by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration the COVID-19 cases are under total control.
The Member of Parliament pointed that due to change in convoy timing between Jirkatang and Middle Strait, the tour operators of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and tourists visiting these Islands are facing a lot of difficulties in planning tours to Baratang and other Islands of North & Middle Andaman.
Presently there are only three convoys from Jirkatang to Middle Strait at 7.30 AM, 9.00 AM and 2.00 PM and there are three convoys from Middle Strait to Jirkatang at 6.30 AM, 11.30 AM and 2.30 PM, which reduces visiting hours for tourists at Baratang to a great extent.
Earlier, there were four convoys from Jirkatang to Middle Strait at 6.00 AM, 9.00 AM, 12.00 noon and 2.30 PM and similarly there were four convoys from Middle Strait to Jirkatang at 6.30 AM, 9.30 AM, 12.30 noon and 3.00 PM, which used to give ample time for tourists visiting Baratang Island.
Considering the problems being faced by tourists and tour operators and also taking into account the minimum number of COVID-19 cases in Andaman, the Member of Parliament requested the Lt. Governor to order resumption of all four Convoys.
The Tourism Industry of Andaman & Nicobar islands has already suffered a lot due to lockdowns and movement restriction and now when the situation has improved, it the right time to resume four convoys between Jirkatang to Middle Strait, the MP added.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that resumption of four Convoys between Jirkatang and Middle Strait will benefit Islanders and tourists in three major ways:
1) Tourists will be able to comfortably return back to Port Blair from Baratang on the same day.
2) Islanders living in the Middle Andaman region can come to Port Blair for various works and return back comfortably on the same day and save money for lodging at Port Blair.
3) Public visiting Diglipur can reach Diglipur safely before evening and the threat of accidents will be reduced.