Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 07 November 2023
In a bid to draw attention to the dire condition of National Highway – 4 (NH-4) in the North and Middle Andaman District, the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) has announced a Mass Chakka Jam and Jail Bharo Andolan scheduled for the 8th of November 2023. This demonstration will take place at Baratang, Rangat, and Diglipur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The primary objective of the protest is to press the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for immediate action to improve the deplorable state of NH-4. ANTCC insists on receiving assurances regarding the expeditious completion of the vital highway.
Furthermore, ANTCC is calling for NH-4 to be transferred to the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), with the additional demand for the Administration to allocate extra funds to ensure the swift completion of NH-4. The deteriorating condition of this road has been a longstanding concern for the residents, causing inconvenience and hardship.
The Congress party has also raised the issue of connectivity to the North and Middle Andaman District. They are demanding daily ship and helicopter services to Kadamtala, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur until NH-4 is restored to a satisfactory state. The lack of adequate transportation options has hindered travel for the residents in the region.
In a bid to showcase the severe challenges faced by the local population due to the substandard road conditions, ANTCC has requested that the Chief Secretary and Lieutenant Governor personally visit the North and Middle Andaman District via road.
Additionally, ANTCC is urging for the immediate posting of Specialist Doctors in Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat to attend to medical emergencies, given the difficulties residents face in reaching Port Blair for critical medical care.
The Congress party is calling for a written assurance from the Administration to address all these demands, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the importance of a swift resolution to the issues plaguing the North and Middle Andaman District. The Mass Chakka Jam and Jail Bharo Andolan on the 8th of November is expected to be a significant moment of public expression, with residents and supporters uniting to voice their concerns and to seek redressal for their grievances.