Demands for Expert Body to Conduct Technical Study and Evaluation of the Condition

Port Blair, March 30: The first meeting of the newly elected State Secretariat of the CPI (M), Andaman & Nicobar Islands was held at the party headquarters at Anarkali, Port Blair today evening (30.03.2022). The meeting through a resolution expressed concern over the  pathetic condition of the ATR road (now NH 4) and the physical and mental harassment of the passengers travelling on this road.

Many parts of the ATR road are unsuitable for travel even after the re-laying of the road by NHIDCL. The coal-tar used for re-laying of the road has been found peeling off at many places and the same is not being got repaired. The tarred road on many stretch of the ATR is causing hardship for the passengers. Poor quality construction by the contractors engaged by the NHIDCL needs to be probed thoroughly.

CPI (M) State Secretariat further noted that no authority in the Administration is checking the construction work done by the contractors on the ATR. The meeting notes that improper mix proportion, lack of supervision by NHIDCL, poor quality materials, etc. are perceived to be the reason for the bad condition of the ATR.  Bus operators, private car operators, passengers using their own vehicles, etc. are facing hardship to use the ATR in many parts of Middle & North Andaman. 

The meeting of the CPI (M) called upon the Govt. of India and A&N Administration to engage an expert body from mainland to conduct a technical study and evaluation of the condition of the  ATR  constructed through contractors of NHIDCL  and take  action against the  contractors concerned and officials of HNIDCL for the poor construction of the road. 

Shri D. Laxman Rado presided over the meeting while Shri D. Ayyappan, Secretary, State Organising Committee spoke on the occasion.