Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 10: Mr. TSG. Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has written to the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, reiterating his request to permit autorickshaws to ply over the Chatham Bridge to alleviate the growing difficulties faced by the people of South Andaman District.
In his letter, Mr. Bhasker drew attention to the severe inconvenience being faced by residents of Bambooflat and nearby Panchayats due to the ongoing restriction on the movement of auto rickshaws, cars, and buses over the Chatham Bridge. He pointed out that commuters are compelled to walk nearly one kilometre between the Chatham Jetty and the main road, often under scorching sunlight or heavy rain—causing immense hardship to senior citizens, women carrying infants, school children, daily commuters, and tourists alike.
While expressing gratitude to the Administration for providing a battery-operated rickshaw to mitigate the problem, Mr. Bhasker noted that one vehicle is grossly insufficient to cater to the large number of people who depend on this route daily.
He further highlighted that the closure of the Chatham Bridge was based on a recommendation from a technical team assessing its structural condition. Mr. Bhasker urged the Administration to conduct a fresh, detailed structural stability survey through another competent agency and to reconsider the existing restrictions based on its findings.
Reaffirming his commitment to addressing public grievances, Mr. Bhasker appealed to the Administration to allow auto rickshaws to ply over the bridge at the earliest, stating that such a decision would greatly ease the suffering of commuters and restore much-needed convenience in daily transportation.