Transportation system in the A&N Islands is insufficient, especially in needed and emergency situations for the general public: Political party leaders

TMI Bureau

Port Blair, Dec 20: Despite the Central Government's commitment and efforts towards the development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the situation remains far from satisfactory for the general public in terms of basic infrastructure since the regime of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Political party leaders in the A&N Islands pray every day as they write letters to the Heads of the A&N Administration, hoping for the rectification of the situation.

Air Transport: In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, Mr. Bhasker recently stated that the seating capacity available in the helicopters operated by Pawan Hans in the A&N Islands is very low. Most of the time, seats are occupied by government servants/civil servants, causing hardships for the general public, even in emergency situations. As everyone is aware, medical patients in places like Campbell Bay, Katchal, Kamorta, Car Nicobar, Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat need immediate evacuation, especially when road conditions are very poor. The lack of helicopters with high seating capacity during such times creates tremendous problems for patients and their families. A glaring example is the unfortunate death of Rajesh (29 yrs), an aspirant for the Forest Mazdoor Post under the Middle Andaman Forest Division, who needed emergency evacuation from Rangat to Port Blair.

Road Transport: Apart from peoples unpleasant travel experience through exhausted NH-4, it also impacted on the daily needs of the population in N&M Andaman. Shri Halder, in a letter to the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, recently mentioned that the shortage of LPG gas cylinders in the Middle & North Andaman region has reached a critical point. This shortage has been affecting the daily lives of citizens for the past two months. Families are facing significant hardships as they grapple with the challenge of cooking meals, posing a serious threat to their well-being and hindering livelihood activities in the area.

Sea Transport: In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, Shri Jolly expressed concern about the financial constraints faced by the middle and lower class. He urged to earmark and fix a shipping sailing schedule for either M.V. Sindhu or M.V. Nalanda exclusively for the Sabarimala devotees, on or around 5th January 2024. In addition, once Vice President, Shipping Association, Shri P.K. Kaushik expressed concern about the shipping problems that Andaman and Nicobar are facing today. He pointed out that the A&N Islands' lifeline is shipping and maximum depending upon shipping industries from the mainland, perhaps the port infrastructure we are using now is older than 25 years, but no up-gradation took place yet.

Comments

Say Good Bye to Plastic Bags - “It is Better for your Generations”

TMI Bureau Port Blair, Oct 02: As part of National Campaign against the single-use plastic and on the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Over 25000 cloth bags (made by Skill Development Centre, DBRAIT) were distributed to general public for free by DBRAIT in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Oct 02, 2019. At different distribution points, people at large numbers collected the cloth bags in exchange of a polythene bag. Background: Less than 50 years ago plastic bags were a rarity in the world. In Andaman it's just a decade ago Polyethylene were came into use, but badly affected a lot. Before plastic bags, there was paper or cloth. Paper bags worked but they were not easy to carry and they weren't nearly as strong as plastic. The most important part is paper was more expensive to produce than plastic. The cost of disposal and clean up of plastic bags comes back to the tax payer, hazardously. However, polyethylene (the most common type of plast...

Campaign for free access to Cellular Jail gains support, calls for National Pilgrimage Status

Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 25: A campaign demanding greater respect for India's martyrs at the historic Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has gained momentum. The movement calls for the jail, a "National Memorial," to be declared a "National Pilgrimage Site." Activists are advocating for free entry to the light and sound show for island residents and a nominal fee of Rs.30 for outside tourists. The organizers argue that, just as the central and state governments provide free religious pilgrimages, similar provisions should be made for free visits to Cellular Jail, also known as "Kala Pani." Supporters emphasize the importance of including the jail's revolutionary history in school curricula. They believe that officially recognizing the site as a national pilgrimage location would be a fitting tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters who were imprisoned there. The campaign coincides with the birth anniversary of revolutionary marty...

Successful Surgery Gives New Life to 2.5-Year-Old Girl Born Without Properly Formed Food Pipe

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 30: A 2.5-year-old girl, born with a congenital condition where her esophagus (food pipe) was not properly formed, has successfully undergone a highly specialized surgery at ANIIMS (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences). Immediately after birth, a team of ANIIMS surgeons performed emergency surgery, placing a feeding tube in her abdomen through the stomach to ensure she could receive nutrition. For over two and a half years, the child was fed through this tube, enabling her to gain adequate weight in preparation for a reconstructive surgery to create a functioning food pipe. On September 25, 2024, a complex surgery was performed to create a new esophagus for the child. During the procedure: The artificial feeding tube was removed, and the opening in the stomach was closed; A tunnel was created in the chest, and the stomach was carefully separated from surrounding organs; Using the blood supply from key arteries, the stomach was elevated be...

The Mini India

Search This Blog