Port Blair, Jan 5: Shri Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP and Shri Ajoy Bairagi, State President, BJP have written a letter to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Government of India over the extremely pathetic condition of NH-4 in North & Middle Andaman District and for an early commencement of construction of Chatham Bambooflat Bridge.

In their letter, they stated that the people residing at North & Middle Andaman are suffering enormously due to the extremely pathetic condition of the NH-4 in that region. The economic development and the transport system have collapsed due to the pitiable condition of NH-4. The construction of NH-4 was awarded to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) in the year 2016 and even after elapse of almost 6 years, the work is yet to be completed.

Further they added that, the yardstick, method and quality of work adopted by NHIDCL in South Andaman District was completely different from the works that are being done at North & Middle Andaman District. Due to non- availability of good quarry products, the previously constructed road materials were rolled over for the new construction and they say that the same was done after obtaining necessary approval.

Both the leaders highlighted that the road construction in that region is difficult considering the fact that around 09 months we have rainy season, yet, the truth is that the concerned contractors have miserably failed in their management and performance of work.

In respect to Chatham-Bambooflat Bridge, both the leaders wrote that the issue requires the intervention of the Hon'ble Minister for which a large number of people are awaiting. Reportedly, the DPR for this project was already completed and further course of action was required to be taken for its early implementation. This project would bring a sea change for enabling convenient vehicular traffic movement from a major part of South Andaman region to Port Blair City. This would largely reduce the travel time for the commuters from several villages of South Andaman.

Concluding their letter Both the leaders have earnestly requested take a serious note and take all needful steps to make sure that the construction work of NH-4 gets completed at the earliest by strictly maintaining the standards of National Highways and commence the project of Chatham–Bambooflat Bridge, in the interest of people of A & N Islands.