Lets Un-complicate
Baratang is emerging as one of the most popular tourist spot in A&N islands. The journey through thick rainforest and thereafter to limestone caves in speed rafts amid mangroves is indeed a mesmerizing trip, but not easy because the intervening Middle strait creek is connected (or disconnected!) by ferry boats. Daily to and fro traffic across the creek include approx 2500+ commuters, 22+ bus, 100+ four wheelers and 50+ goods vehicles on board vehicle ferry boats. A major chunk of this traffic (1200 tourists and 60-70 four wheelers) crossing the creek altogether is un-necessary and rather risky since boats plying in the route is not certified to carry such huge number of commuters. The point to ponder, is it really necessary to ferry tourists to Nilambur jetty or they could be taken to limestone caves directly from Middle strait jetty?
For a Baratang bound tourist, the ordeal starts slightly after midnight, because they need to board the vehicle scheduled to start at 0330 am in the morning from Port Blair. Tourist vehicles could be seen arriving as early as 5 am onwards at Jirkatang forming a beeline called convoy. At this leg of the journey, tourists are often puzzled at their early arrival and police bandobast at the outpost. Guests attend natures call, have idli, poori, tea and their quota of snacks and get ready for a life time experience – journey through the reserve forests of South Andaman.
At Middle strait tourists are herded to vehicle ferry boat like cattles packed one besides the other. The first ferry from middle strait carries around 600 passengers whereas none of the vessel operating in the route is certified to carry more than 99 passengers. Commuters huddle in the space left between bus and cars. Ticket collectors face uphill task collecting fares, yelling at tourists who argue they already paid for the trip in advance. Unpleasant exchange of words follows until the tour operator steps in to clarify ferry charges is not included in the package since vehicle ferry is operated by A&N Administration and it is just a matter of Rs 4/- going into Govt fund.
Movement of such large number of tourists along with vehicles across Middle strait could be avoided if arrangements are made to ferry tourists to limestone caves directly from Middle strait itself. All tourist vehicles need to be stopped at Middle strait jetty. Small change but big saving of time, money besides the load on ferries in the route could be reduced. Islanders, public transport express buses (bound for Port Blair, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur etc) travelling in the route will be able to cross the creek without a risk on their lives. On the other hand, journey for tourists will become un-complicated. They need not start so early. Mad rush to make it to the convoy could be avoided. Both the islanders and tourists would be saved from the pains of paid harassment. Revenue lost because of reduced traffic on vehicle ferry could be earned back by introducing STS bus service to Mudvolcano. Some of the local unemployed youths could be motivated to operate point-to-point taxi service to cater to the transportation needs of tourist population. It would be beneficial to everyone.
The urgent need for reducing the load on vehicle ferry need to be seen in the backdrop of March 2005 tragic incident wherein a Port Blair bound STS bus slipped from a vehicle ferry, plunged into the sea claiming lives of 10 passengers including one child. This January while a bus was boarding, the vehicle ferry slipped from beneath the bus!!! Luckily the bus did not plunge into sea this time. Recurrence of such incident speaks volumes about the attitude of those managing the affairs of tourism and the lurking danger in the route. Safety of tourist as well as general commuter is in jeopardy. The easiest way out of this mess would be diverting tourist to limestone caves directly from Middle strait itself. All tourist vehicles be stopped at Middle strait, parking fees could be collected to boost Govt revenue. Directorate of Tourism need to play proactive role leading from the front, pooling resources, taking necessary clearances and seeking specific cooperation from A&N Police, STS, Directorate of Shipping Services, Department of Environment and Forests, APWD etc.
Another important aspect is involvement of the civil society. Once tourism is linked to livelihood of local population, they would protect it for their sustenance. This in turn will help in minimizing damage to fragile island environment. I believe oordinated efforts and little change in the way tourism is being conducted in these Islands is needed to justify our place in the favored list of Incredible !ndia experience.
For a Baratang bound tourist, the ordeal starts slightly after midnight, because they need to board the vehicle scheduled to start at 0330 am in the morning from Port Blair. Tourist vehicles could be seen arriving as early as 5 am onwards at Jirkatang forming a beeline called convoy. At this leg of the journey, tourists are often puzzled at their early arrival and police bandobast at the outpost. Guests attend natures call, have idli, poori, tea and their quota of snacks and get ready for a life time experience – journey through the reserve forests of South Andaman.
At Middle strait tourists are herded to vehicle ferry boat like cattles packed one besides the other. The first ferry from middle strait carries around 600 passengers whereas none of the vessel operating in the route is certified to carry more than 99 passengers. Commuters huddle in the space left between bus and cars. Ticket collectors face uphill task collecting fares, yelling at tourists who argue they already paid for the trip in advance. Unpleasant exchange of words follows until the tour operator steps in to clarify ferry charges is not included in the package since vehicle ferry is operated by A&N Administration and it is just a matter of Rs 4/- going into Govt fund.
Movement of such large number of tourists along with vehicles across Middle strait could be avoided if arrangements are made to ferry tourists to limestone caves directly from Middle strait itself. All tourist vehicles need to be stopped at Middle strait jetty. Small change but big saving of time, money besides the load on ferries in the route could be reduced. Islanders, public transport express buses (bound for Port Blair, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur etc) travelling in the route will be able to cross the creek without a risk on their lives. On the other hand, journey for tourists will become un-complicated. They need not start so early. Mad rush to make it to the convoy could be avoided. Both the islanders and tourists would be saved from the pains of paid harassment. Revenue lost because of reduced traffic on vehicle ferry could be earned back by introducing STS bus service to Mudvolcano. Some of the local unemployed youths could be motivated to operate point-to-point taxi service to cater to the transportation needs of tourist population. It would be beneficial to everyone.
The urgent need for reducing the load on vehicle ferry need to be seen in the backdrop of March 2005 tragic incident wherein a Port Blair bound STS bus slipped from a vehicle ferry, plunged into the sea claiming lives of 10 passengers including one child. This January while a bus was boarding, the vehicle ferry slipped from beneath the bus!!! Luckily the bus did not plunge into sea this time. Recurrence of such incident speaks volumes about the attitude of those managing the affairs of tourism and the lurking danger in the route. Safety of tourist as well as general commuter is in jeopardy. The easiest way out of this mess would be diverting tourist to limestone caves directly from Middle strait itself. All tourist vehicles be stopped at Middle strait, parking fees could be collected to boost Govt revenue. Directorate of Tourism need to play proactive role leading from the front, pooling resources, taking necessary clearances and seeking specific cooperation from A&N Police, STS, Directorate of Shipping Services, Department of Environment and Forests, APWD etc.
Another important aspect is involvement of the civil society. Once tourism is linked to livelihood of local population, they would protect it for their sustenance. This in turn will help in minimizing damage to fragile island environment. I believe oordinated efforts and little change in the way tourism is being conducted in these Islands is needed to justify our place in the favored list of Incredible !ndia experience.
Acknowledgements
Mr G Kurma Rao, Baratang and Mr Deepankar Mandal, Bambooflat
The post was carried in Echo of India dated 07/02/2011
Comments
This three bridges if it comes to existence, will change the whole prospective of Andamans.
Abhay Kumar