Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 06 July 2022
Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works recently constructed a passenger waiting shed at Campbell Bay Jetty. The passenger waiting shed was constructed at a cost of more than Rs. 15 Lakhs.
The purpose of constructing the waiting shed was to provide shelter to passengers from rain during embarkation and disembarkation from ships.
There is no possible use of the passenger waiting shed at the current location as it is very far away from the berthing area of the ships.
The passenger waiting shed has been constructed just 30 meters inside from the main gate of Campbell Bay Jetty. A passenger hall is available just outside the main gate of Campbell Bay Jetty and there was no requirement for a passenger waiting shed at the jetty so close to the main gate.
The general public of Campbell Bay has been demanding the construction of a passenger waiting shed near the berthing end of the Jetty, to take shelter during harsh weather. The construction of a passenger waiting shed near the main gate of Campbell Bay Jetty serves no purpose and is a wasteful expenditure of public money.
‘No sane mind would find any use for the newly constructed passenger waiting shed. The engineers of ALWH have wasted precious public money.’ commented a Ward Member of Campbell Bay Panchayat while speaking to Nicobar Times.
The general public is now questioning the rationale behind the construction of such an asset by ALHW which is not at all useful for the passengers.
Nicobar Times approached the Executive Engineer (In-charge), ALHW, Great Nicobar for an explanation on the wasteful construction undertaken by the department. The EE (In-Charge) asked us to write a letter with the questions and refused to answer any of the questions put forth before him.
The wastage of public money in such a manner should not be taken for granted and the department, as well as Andaman and Nicobar Administration, should take appropriate action against the errant officers responsible for such wasteful expenditure.
Detailed plans for the construction of public assets by the Departments of A & N Administration and Central Govt. should first be put before the local Gram Sabha for approval from the people. The work should only be executed after it is approved by Gram Sabha, as there is no one better than the public to judge the usefulness and scope of a project.