A&N Administration Comes to the Rescue of Stranded Tourists at Baratang Port Blair, Dec. 28: As many as 12 Tourist and Private Vehicles were stuck up at Baratang Island today as they could not make it to Middle Strait on time for the last convoy. Few of the tourists stranded had their return flight tickets for 29th and were in a helpless position. Considering the state of the stranded tourists, the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Lt. Gen. (Retd) A.K. Singh has directed the concerned authorities and the PRI Members to ensure arrangements for stay of the tourists overnight at Baratang. Speaking to Andaman Chronicle, the Lt. Governor said, “The Administration cannot allow the vehicles to ply in the dark inside the tribal reserve. I have instructed the concerned authorities to ensure a comfortable stay at Baratang overnight. Meanwhile the Administration will make arrangements to ensure the tourists reach back to Port Blair on time to avail their flight.” The stranded tourists were on their way to Port Blair from North & Middle Andaman. Tourists alleged alleged that they had reached Baratang fifteen minutes before the Convoy but were not allowed in the vehicle ferry. To this the Dy. Director Shipping Services, Mr. Veeraiah told Andaman Chronicle that the DSS has two boats stationed at Baratang but there is no point in reaching the tourists to Middle Strait after the last Convoy has left, unless specific instructions are received. The last convoy inside the Jarawa Tribal Reserve from Middle Strait to Jirkatang has been fixed at 3.00 pm. It has been a practice by the A&N Police not to allow vehicles beyond the specified time. In today’s situation, it is learnt that the number of vehicles were much more than what is normally expected in the route. The DSS boats had ferried around 110 vehicles till the last trip was made. It is fortunate that the Hon’ble Lt. Governor after receiving the information had ordered arrangements for the stranded tourists, though the responsibility does not lie on the Administration. Today’s incident has also sent a clear message to the tour operators to ensure that they reach the tourists on time especially in places where the rules cannot be modified under any circumstances. The Administration from time to time has been issuing advisories to the tour operators not to risk with the tourists having return tickets the next day by taking them to far off destinations. andamanchronicle.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6094:a-n-administration-comes-to-the-rescue-of-stranded-tourists-at-baratang&catid=37:top-news&Itemid=142
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 16:21:28 +0000
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