PARADOXICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF ATR CONVOY RULES

Convoy system in the stretch of Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) passing through Jarawa reserve between Jirkarang and Middle Strait, now a day is being used as a means to harass the common public. Rules are implemented tactfully to curtail free movement of common public whereas rules are flouted or relaxed to extend freedom and liberty to the elite few!

As per the system in force, plying of two wheelers is not allowed in the stretch of ATR between Jirkatang and Middle Strait. But the enforcer themselves ride two wheelers; one in front of the convoy and another in the middle of the convoy; every day, every trip, in broad day light.

With the prescribed speed limit of 40 km/hour the distance of 47 Km between Jirkatang and Middle Strait should take about 1hr 10min. But the convoy lead by two wheeler pilot, surprisingly takes about two hours. This means the enforcers themselves causes the convoy to proceed slowly at speeds less than 25 km/hr.

Passenger vehicles are to be given priority in the convoy. But in the revised system, Heavy Goods Vehicles are let before passenger cars. This horrible arrangement not only delays the convoy and exposes the commuters to the risk of being injured bodily or stranded, but also the occupants of cars and light vehicles are forced to inhale obnoxious exhaust fumes emitted by Heavy Goods Vehicles ahead in the convoy.

Those reading this article would agree the peoples of North and Middle Andaman are already facing logistic constraints in their day to day life and the Administration is making every effort to improve the living conditions. But the paradoxical implementation of convoy rules is undoing its efforts and making the life of islanders from N&M Andaman miserable.

Time and again decisions are taken in haste without public consultation! ATR is not another road but the life line of North and Middle Andaman. The ATR, unlike Sea transport facilitates movement of peoples, essential commodities, goods and services independent of weather conditions. But ironically the decision makers seldom consider this aspect while formulating the ATR convoy.

Reducing 8 convoys to 4 and allowing public transport bus, goods vehicles and passenger vehicles all at a time is creating more troubles than any good. The convoy now proceeds at walking speed resulting in fatigue among drivers.

There have been instances wherein lady passengers unable to control bladder pressure for extended hours had to face the humiliation of urinating inside public transport bus! But the authorities care a damn, because their movement across the ATR is ensured 24X7 without hindrance.

Authority concerned need to appreciate the fact that ATR is not used for tourism alone but used by islanders out of compulsion. Moreover presence of non-tribals in the A&N Islands is something of paramount importance from security point of view. Can anybody dispute this? If this proposition is true, the non tribal islanders therefore deserve a decent living condition.

The civil administration therefore ought to take all necessary steps to rationalize the convoy system and free the islanders from the inhuman torture meted out to them in the name of convoy system.

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