Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 January 2024
The Member of Parliament for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has brought attention to the pressing issue of inadequate parking facilities at G B Pant Hospital, the primary referral medical centre serving the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In a recent communication addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Sharma highlighted the escalating problem and proposed a solution.
Expressing the crucial role played by GB Pant Hospital in catering to the healthcare needs of the region, Sharma underscored the daily influx of patients, attendants, and visitors, emphasising the strain placed on the existing parking infrastructure. The closure of the TB ward parking area further exacerbated the situation, intensifying the challenge of finding adequate parking space within the hospital premises.
Morning hours witness a rush for parking, resulting in significant inconvenience for a large number of individuals. The limited parking area quickly reaches its capacity, spilling vehicles onto the roadside, leading to congestion up to Jail Junction, creating a chaotic environment.
The repercussions are particularly severe for patients and attendants who often struggle to find parking and are compelled to park at distant locations such as the sea shore area or the Netaji Stadium parking lot. This additional travel by auto-rickshaw or on foot adds unnecessary stress, especially for those accompanying seriously ill patients.
Sharma emphasised that the existing parking area, designated several decades ago, is no longer adequate considering the hospital’s expansions and the addition of new branches, wards, and facilities. The rise in the number of patients, particularly with the establishment of ANIIMS, has amplified the demand for parking space significantly.
In light of these challenges, Sharma proposed the conversion of the existing parking area into a three-story parking facility. This expansion aims to alleviate the parking constraints faced by patients, attendants, and visitors, providing a solution to the daily struggle for parking.