Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 07 September 2023
Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a crucial meeting with Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, to address the deteriorating state of National Highway – 4 (NH-4) and related issues in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
During the meeting, Mr. Jolly presented a comprehensive assessment of NH-4’s dire condition, complete with detailed facts and figures. He underscored the urgent need for immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure the safety and convenience of commuters in the region.
Key points raised by Mr. Jolly include:
1. Deplorable Stretches: Mr. Jolly pointed out several stretches along NH-4 where the road had deteriorated to the point of being non-motorable. These included approximately 22 kilometers between Baratang and Azad Hind Fauj Setu (chainage 107 Km to 129 Km), 12 kilometers beyond Rest Camp (chainage 220 Km to 232 Km), and 10 kilometers between Kaushalya Nagar and Gate No 15 (chainage 155 Km to 165 Km).
2. Quality of Work: He expressed deep concerns about the quality of work carried out by the contractor responsible for these road stretches, highlighting the substandard construction that has contributed to the road’s deplorable condition.
3. Commuter Suffering: Mr. Jolly stressed the mental agony and hardships faced by commuters in the North and Middle Andaman District due to the sorry state of NH-4. He also noted that developmental projects in the region have stagnated because of the road’s condition.
4. Causeway Bridge: The parliamentarian drew attention to the severely deteriorated Causeway Bridge located in the Lorojig area of Baratang Island, emphasizing the urgent need for its renovation, repair, or replacement.
Mr. Jolly earnestly appealed to the Hon’ble Minister for immediate action and proposed the following steps:
1. Contract Cancellation: Cancel the existing contract with the current contractor, M/s. Mantena Constructions Pvt. Ltd. – Vasishta Constructions Ltd. Bridge (JV).
2. Tender Process: Initiate a fresh tendering process to assign the remaining roadwork, ensuring its completion by October 2023.
3. Causeway Bridge: Renovate, repair, or reconstruct the Causeway Bridge at Lorojig area, Baratang Island.
4. Middle Strait-Baratang Bridge: Restart and complete the remaining work on the Middle Strait-Baratang Bridge promptly for the benefit of the people in North and Middle Andaman.
Additionally, Mr. Jolly advocated for the commencement and swift completion of the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents of Bambooflat and neighbouring villages who rely on ferry boats for their daily livelihood and education.
In response, the Hon’ble Union Minister, Mr. Gadkari, assured Mr. Jolly of prompt action and provided updates on ongoing developments:
– A fresh tender process for the Middle Strait – Baratang Bridge has been initiated, with work set to resume soon after contract awarding.
– Immediate steps will be taken to cancel contracts responsible for the current NH-4 condition, followed by the issuance of fresh tenders.
– Repairs will be carried out on various chainages of NH-4 as needed.
– Measures are underway to expedite the Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge project, addressing the concerns of local residents.
The Union Minister’s commitment to addressing these critical infrastructure issues in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands brings hope for improved transportation and connectivity in the region.