Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 15 July 2025
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has taken up key issues affecting the residents of Katchal Island, urging the concerned authorities to take prompt corrective measures regarding transportation and banking services on the island.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Transport, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, D. Ayyappan, Secretary of CPI (M), has requested the immediate deployment of additional STS buses to Katchal Island. According to the letter, the island currently has only one functional STS bus in operation, while the second bus is reportedly undergoing major repairs and is unserviceable for the foreseeable future.
The lone bus presently operates between the Marine Jetty and other areas of the island, mainly timed with the arrival of the speedboat from Kamorta. However, CPI (M) has highlighted that this limited service often disrupts school transportation and inconveniences the public, including patients, students, and daily commuters.
Ayyappan also raised concerns about a few private vehicle operators who, in the absence of sufficient public transport, are allegedly charging exorbitant fares even for short distances. He criticized the Transport Department for treating the demand for more STS buses in a “casual manner,” thereby causing considerable hardship to the people of Katchal.
In a separate communication addressed to Mr. P.G. Paul, Retired DANICS officer and Chairman of the A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd., CPI (M) has called for urgent steps to address the acute shortage of currency notes on the island. Ayyappan urged the bank to send adequate cash through Pawan Hans helicopter service at the earliest.
Highlighting the issue, he stated that the only operational bank in Katchal is the local branch of the A&N State Cooperative Bank, which is currently facing a severe cash crunch. The ATM installed by the bank on the island has reportedly been non-functional for several days due to lack of funds.
CPI (M) has requested the bank chairman to personally intervene in the matter and ensure that the banking needs of Katchal Island residents are met without further delay.
