Bridge of Promises, Pillars of Neglect

To preserve the aesthetic appeal, the above old photo has been sourced from ANDAMANTOURISM.ORG.IN.

TMI Bureau

Port Blair, July 23: If someone asks us the exact meaning of the phrase "from bad to worse," we now have a glaring example - the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge. What was once promised as the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge during election campaigns has now deteriorated into a crisis surrounding the Haddo to Chatham Bridge itself.

The Government had assured the public of constructing a bridge connecting Chatham to Bambooflat, as part of election promises. But in reality, it has even failed to maintain the existing Haddo - Chatham Bridge. A headline in Andaman Sheekha dated February 16, 2015, reads - "Nitin Gadkari promises crucial bridges for Andamans: Work for construction of Bambooflat - Chatham Bridge within 8 months: Gadkari."

Ironically today, authorities are only allowing two-wheelers to pass on the approximately 150-meter-long Haddo - Chatham Bridge due to the dilapidated condition of the deck slab and supporting beams. One wonders how the Chatham Sawmill, fire brigade services, and powerhouse operations are continuing on two-wheelers?

Meanwhile, for over a month now, school and college students, patients, senior citizens, and other daily commuters, especially those carrying baggage, have been facing severe inconvenience. The boat services too are running off-schedule, possibly due to unpredictable weather conditions.

Despite repeated assurances by top government officials and politicians, the public, filled with hope yet helpless, continues to silently bear the hardships.

Notably, late journalist Zubair Ahmed had aptly titled one of his articles, "Bridging Chatham in 1930!", published on October 30, 2020, in his web portal The Sunday Islander. It's worth reading through the link https://thesundayislander.in/top-stories/bridging-chatham-in-1930/.

Comments

Successful Surgery Gives New Life to 2.5-Year-Old Girl Born Without Properly Formed Food Pipe

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 30: A 2.5-year-old girl, born with a congenital condition where her esophagus (food pipe) was not properly formed, has successfully undergone a highly specialized surgery at ANIIMS (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences). Immediately after birth, a team of ANIIMS surgeons performed emergency surgery, placing a feeding tube in her abdomen through the stomach to ensure she could receive nutrition. For over two and a half years, the child was fed through this tube, enabling her to gain adequate weight in preparation for a reconstructive surgery to create a functioning food pipe. On September 25, 2024, a complex surgery was performed to create a new esophagus for the child. During the procedure: The artificial feeding tube was removed, and the opening in the stomach was closed; A tunnel was created in the chest, and the stomach was carefully separated from surrounding organs; Using the blood supply from key arteries, the stomach was elevated be...

No Mercy for Government Employees: Staff Forced to Stay Beyond Tenure in Southern and Northern Islands

TMI Bureau Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 23: When an employee receives a transfer order to the Southern or Northern group of islands, they prepare mentally for a specific tenure as outlined in the transfer policy. However, they often face numerous challenges, including the lack of accommodation, government quarters, guest houses, mess facilities, boat or ship services, and even reliable mobile connectivity-challenges that affect both male and more to female employees. In particular, police personnel, exhausted by their stressful duties and isolated from their families, are vulnerable to developing addictions, including alcoholism, which can negatively impact their lives. The prolonged and unjustified extension of postings in these remote islands leads to frustration, helplessness, and a decline in productivity, potentially causing depression. Despite completing their designated tenure, many employees find themselves trapped in these remote locations due to favoritism and influence, with...

Campaign for free access to Cellular Jail gains support, calls for National Pilgrimage Status

Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 25: A campaign demanding greater respect for India's martyrs at the historic Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has gained momentum. The movement calls for the jail, a "National Memorial," to be declared a "National Pilgrimage Site." Activists are advocating for free entry to the light and sound show for island residents and a nominal fee of Rs.30 for outside tourists. The organizers argue that, just as the central and state governments provide free religious pilgrimages, similar provisions should be made for free visits to Cellular Jail, also known as "Kala Pani." Supporters emphasize the importance of including the jail's revolutionary history in school curricula. They believe that officially recognizing the site as a national pilgrimage location would be a fitting tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters who were imprisoned there. The campaign coincides with the birth anniversary of revolutionary marty...

The Mini India

Search This Blog