Takes 25 min to cross half a kilometre stretch in Port Blair city; Citizen urge for suitable solution

TMI Correspondent

Port Blair, June 26: Crossing half a kilometre stretch from Clock Tower to Gandhi Statue (Aberdeen Bazaar) took more than 25 minutes recently. It is not the matter of single day, but an affair of everyday in the Port Blair city.

"Following one-way from Ganesh Temple to Rathnam Market (Aberdeen Bazaar) is difficult to expect the desired flow of traffic. One-way should be maintained from Clock Tower itself to meet the smooth flow of traffic, particularly at this area", said a citizen stuck in traffic jam.

"Especially, the Autowalahs and personal / passenger vehicles are taking advantage to reach upto Ganesh Temple and found always waiting to make U-turn their vehicle by disregarding the creation traffic jam at the busiest Aberdeen Bazaar". "Even the pedestrians could not walk on their way many times, the absence of traffic cop in such crucial situations, become stumbling block to set right the traffic jam in the area", another citizen in angry says.

However, the A&N Traffic Police by understanding the scenario prevailing since many years in the city should suitably manage or fix the hurdles, particularly between Clock Tower and Ratnam Market area.

Port Blair top among cities in implementing PMAY (U), AMRUT & SCM projects: PBMC Secy

Port Blair, June 26: Port Blair city is one of the top amongst the Union Territories (UTs) in terms of implementation of Flagship Missions & Programmes of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, namely Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY(U)], AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation), Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Secretary of Port Blair Municipal Council and Smart City CEO, Mr Suneel Anchipaka said on Tuesday. He was speaking to the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) and Commerce & Industry, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri at a video conference held on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Urban Missions of PMAY(U), SCM & AMRUT, in New Delhi.

A total of 79 projects have been earmarked for Port Blair city under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation), out of which 47 projects (44 projects of water supply and 3 Parks[Green Space]) have been completed. 25 projects are under various stages of implementations whereas remaining are under tendering process, Mr Suneel informed.

"Under PMAY(U)'s Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), 13 projects for beneficiaries have been completed out of total 29 projects and remaining are under various stage of construction. Under Affordable Housing in Partnership component of PMAY (U), 555 houses will be constructed for which one hectare of land has been identified for Phase I of the construction of houses".

The PBMC Secretary informed that a Project Management Consultancy has been hired in the year 2018 under SCM for the city. A total of 43 projects have been identified under SCM for the city. 13,500 conventional lights have been replaced by LED lights under SCM. The Flag Point recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi is one such smart city project that has become an attraction spot frequented by locals and tourists, he added.

He further said PBMC will soon initiate the process for construction of Sea Promenade including a 3 meter walking track and a 1.5 meter jogging track from Marina Park to South Point. An Integrated Command and Control Centre will also be developed in the city for making Port Blair a citizen and tourist friendly city with improved civic services. (PIB, Port Blair)

MP urges Admn for availability of ultra sound facilities at all District Hospitals, CHCs

Port Blair, June 26: Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament feeling the clinical necessity of the islanders has written a letter of request to the Lt. Governor to consider providing of Ultra sound facilities at all the 03 District Hospitals located at Car Nicobar, Mayabunder and Garacharma and 04 Community Health Centers located at Nancowry, Diglipur, Rangat and Bambooflat in these Islands. Highlighting the issue, Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma has expressed that at present patients who need to undergo ultrasonography for diagnosis of actual cause of ailments are referred to GB Pant Hospital for which they have to incur extra expenditure on their transportation, lodging and boarding. Moreover, as the Ultrasonography facilities  available at the GB Pant Hospital is not sufficient to cater to the requirement of large population of these islands,  the patients have to wait for many days for their turn to undergo ultrasonography which further deteriorate their health condition. Consideration of the Lt. Governor for having Ultrasonography facility in the District Hospitals and CHCs is sought by the Member of Parliament as such facilities will not only be beneficial to the islanders, but also GB Pant Hospital will be free from extra burden and can give more attention to the patients of Port Blair and adjoining places.