Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 22 February 2024
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has voiced serious apprehensions regarding the inadequate efforts made by the central government and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to attract tourists to the islands. In a letter penned to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee, expressed dismay over the closure of toilets in the Passenger Hall at Middle Strait, highlighting the absence of essential facilities for visiting tourists.
Ayyappan pointed out that while other states and union territories on the mainland ensure the provision of necessary amenities, including roadside facilities, tourists visiting remote locations like Middle Strait from Port Blair are deprived of such basic conveniences by the Administration.
During his recent visit to Baratang on February 18-19, 2024, the CPI (M) Secretary observed that both men’s and women’s toilets in the Passenger Hall at Middle Strait, managed by the Port Management Board, were consistently closed. With hundreds of tourists and islanders traversing through Middle Strait daily, the closure of these facilities has led to considerable inconvenience.
Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the toilets have remained closed for several days, with no alternative arrangements made by the authorities. Due to its status as a tribal reserve area, private agencies are prohibited from providing such facilities at Middle Strait.
Ayyappan emphasized that such neglect from the Administration could severely impact tourist influx to the islands, exacerbating the plight faced by local commuters. The current tourist flow has already dwindled to its lowest levels, attributing to the lack of proactive measures taken by both the central government and the A & N Administration.
In urging the Chief Secretary to intervene, the CPI (M) Secretary called for immediate action to ensure the provision of all necessary facilities to tourists, including adequate toilet facilities at Middle Strait and other tourist destinations across the islands. He further stressed the importance of addressing any negligence by the authorities in catering to visiting tourists with strict measures.