Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 31 July 2023
In a bid to address the longstanding issue of transportation inconvenience between Port Blair and Bambooflat regions, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has fervently called upon the Government to expedite the construction of the Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge. The proposed bridge, with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,000 Crore, is expected to revolutionise vehicular traffic movement and significantly reduce travel time for commuters.
Raising the pressing matter during a session of Parliament on July 28, 2023, Mr. Sharma emphasised the pivotal role the Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge would play in connecting Chatham Island to Bambooflat. The bridge, spanning a length of 1.6 kilometres, has been assigned to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. for implementation.
Currently, residents of the South Andaman region face a cumbersome journey of approximately 48 kilometres to travel between the two points via land. However, with the proposed bridge, the distance will be drastically reduced, bolstering economic development in the process.
Mr. Sharma shed light on the challenges that have slowed down progress on the Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge project. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary halt in the ground works, significantly impacting the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Consequently, the delay has become a major concern for the island’s inhabitants, who eagerly await the project’s completion.
He further disclosed that the Draft DPR was submitted to the headquarters of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. on February 25, 2023. However, it is currently under examination, awaiting sanction from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Beyond its immediate benefits, the Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge also holds the promise of ushering economic prosperity to underdeveloped areas in the South Andaman region, following the Twin City Concept. Moreover, it will significantly reduce travel time to North and Middle Andaman by providing a shorter alternative road to Ferrargunj from Port Blair.