Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 30 June 2022
The members of the Nicobari Tribal Community of Great Nicobar & Little Nicobar Islands are facing a lot of problems due to non-availability of speed boat services for commuting between remote villages like Makachua, Afra Bay etc. and Campbell Bay.
Many villages where the members of the Nicobari Tribal Community reside are located in isolated areas of Great Nicobar and Little Nicobar Islands. These villages are not accessible by road from Campbell Bay and the only mode of transportation is by sea.
Members of the community in absence of speed boat services are compelled to use their fishing boats for commuting, which is not at all safe. During monsoon, it becomes almost impossible for anyone to travel between Campbell Bay and these remote villages because of the adverse condition of the sea.
Transportation of essential items to these villages from Campbell Bay also becomes another challenge during the monsoon.
During health emergencies, the members of the tribal community feel helpless due to the non-availability of proper transportation.
A speed boat used to be stationed at Campbell Bay earlier and regular services were operated for these remote villages for the convenience of the tribal community. The speed boat services were withdrawn a long time ago as the boat was called back to Port Blair.
The Govt. Servants posted at these remote villages also face problems in commuting between their place of posting and Campbell Bay.
The members of the Nicobari Community have demanded immediate deployment of a speed boat to Campbell Bay for providing services for their commute between Campbell Bay and the remote villages.