Revision of ATR convoy timings, at the cost of exchequer is a dis-service


The recent revision of convoy timings for travel between Jirkatang - Middle Strait and vice versa through which the number of convoys had been cut short to half of what it exists at present (ie., the existing 8 convoys stands reduced to 4) is going to create more problems than any good. Let us first take a comparative look at the revised as well as the existing timings.

It appears that the existing 630 am, 7 am and 730 am convoy from Jirkatang practically stands merged. Hence a large number of intending vehicles would make it to the first convoy. Which means the first convoy is expected to have around 8-10 buses, 60-70 passenger car and 15 - 20 goods vehicle which when lined up one behind the other, would reach a kilometer in length!

Further the revised convoy intends to do away with the existing separate convoy for passenger and goods vehicles. This means the first convoy from Jirkatang of around 100 vehicles comprising of bus, cars, tourist cabs, goods vehicles etc, while moving along the narrow, curvy and undulating Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), maintaining braking distance would run to several kilometers!! if not cover the entire length of the ATR from Jirkatang to Middle Strait!!!

Moreover by letting loose public transport bus, personal cars, tourist cabs, goods vehicles etc all at a time would make the task of looking after the welfare of Jarawa tribes extremely difficult if not impossible. The police and AAJVS staff members who are already finding it hard to control exchange of pleasantries, outside food and unsolicited contact of tourists with Jarawas would be subjected to tremendous stress.

Secondly the vehicles originating from Rangat, Billiground and Mayabunder presently taking the 8 am convoy from Middle Strait, under the revised convoy, these vehicles will have no option but to fall in for the 0930 am convoy. This means the 5 and a half hours journey to Port Blair from Rangat would now extend to 7 hours or more. What would be the plight of the commuters from Diglipur is perhaps anybody’s guess. Visiting Port Blair by express bus will become a lot more tiresome and inconvenient affair for the commuters.

Thirdly those public transport buses starting from Rangat, Billiground etc for Port Blair are returning the same day under the existing convoy timings. But under the reduced and revised convoy, these buses will not be able to return the same day. This will certainly reduce the availability of public transport bus creating crisis situation in the route.

The most surprising aspect associated with the revision of the convoy is the full waiver of permit fee. However small it may appear, such a step would result in Govt loosing revenue, which means such a decision is going to have a negative effect on the earning of Govt of India.

Ironically the authorities did not make it public the reason behind the revision of convoy timings through which the existing 8 convoys has been cut short to just 4 convoys. Similarly the justification behind waiver of permit fee has not been made public either. The authorities may be competent to cause loss to the exchequer, but when the competency is going to cause loss to the exchequer, is such a retrograde step really necessary to be taken? Is it not a dis-service to the nation and public as well?

The authorities ought to appreciate the fact that ATR is not just another road but the life line of the residents of North and Middle Andaman. The ATR facilitates easy movement of peoples, health care facilities, essential commodities, goods and services round the year, without the need to bother about the weather conditions. The ATR is a necessity for the islanders.

Since the stakeholders and the public who are going get affected by the revision has not been involved in the thinking process, the decision taken in isolation is bound to attract criticism besides creating unrest and un-necessary dissent among the public.

Any attempt to alter the conditions governing flow of traffic across the ATR would have a direct bearing on the life and livelihood of the entire population living in the logistically constrained North and Middle Andamans. It would therefore be just right for the authorities to put the entire matter in public domain. Let the stakeholders and members of public come up with claims, objections and suggestions. The islanders being a constituent of Indian democracy deserve to be heard.

Till the time, a view considerate to the welfare of tribes as well as non-tribes is taken, let the authorities spare the islanders of any surprise!

This post was carried in the Port Blair edition of Echo of India dated : 19/09/2011
and in the web edition of Andaman Sheekha simultaneously

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