Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 01 June 2022
Two additional STS Buses have been sent to Great Nicobar to ease the transportation woes of the residents. The buses have been sent after constant perusal of the issue by local leaders like Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Zilla Parishad Member (Govind Nagar/Campbell Bay), Mr. E S Rajesh, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti (Campbell Bay), Mr. Prahlad Singh, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat (Laxmi Nagar) and Miss. Leela Bathi, Zilla Parishad Member (Laxmi Nagar).
The residents of Great Nicobar were facing a lot of difficulties because of the old and unfit buses being operated in the routes of Great Nicobar. During rains, the passengers travelling on STS Busses had to use umbrellas to protect themselves.
STS Unit, Campbell Bay had not received new buses for years and the employees had to anyhow manage the public transportation requirements of the residents with old and unfit busses.
Several residents of Great Nicobar have appreciated the Administration for sending in two additional buses, while many have also pointed out that the buses sent have been extensively used elsewhere before, and is prone to developing serious fitness issues soon.
The roads at Campbell Bay especially the State Highway-2 also known as the North-South Road is unfit for travelling. Many residents, as well as PRI Members, have speculated that the additional buses provided to the STS Unit will soon develop the same problems as the old buses because of the road conditions.
At present the residents of Great Nicobar especially those living in Laxmi Nagar Panchayat are happy that additional buses have been sent to STS Unit, Campbell Bay, as it will ease their problems.
While South Andaman District has seen a drastic improvement in Public Transportation over the last few years, the public transportation in Nicobar District has only gotten worse.
The need of the hour is to improve public transportation in rural areas. Repairing of roads and ensuring quality in construction should also be ensured for a better experience to the end-user i.e the citizens.