Delegation Apprises Sec. Shipping about Pathetic Ferry Service between Chatham and Bambooflat Port Blair, Aug. 7: A three-member delegation comprising of V K Maryam Bibi, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Anand Amritraj, Up-Adhyaksh, ZP, SA and Abdul Gafoor, President Humane Touch today met the Secretary Shipping to apprise him about the pathetic ferry service between Bambooflat and Chatham and the lax approach of the Department in implementing various suggestions and decisions taken in an earlier meeting. The team met the Secretary to remind and review about the various suggestions and decisions that were discussed and finalized on 13th May 2014 in a meeting chaired by the Secretary and attended by officials from various departments viz. PMB, DSS, Police and PRI representatives and concerned citizens. Soon after the Safety Audit initiated by the Administration, uthorities had tried to implement the stringent safety measures like limiting passenger intake on boats as per capacity without providing sufficient boats, caus hardship to the passengers. The move by the authorities was vehemently opposed by the general public. A meeting of stakeholders including DSS, PMB and Police along with PRI representatives and voluntary organizations was convened by the Secretary Shipping seeking the cooperation of everybody in smooth implementation of safety measures. After prolonged discussion on various aspects, the meeting could reach a breakthrough and the Secretary Shipping had assured that a few short term measures in consultation with all stakeholders will be implemented without any delay. On long term, he had also set deadlines for procurement of new vessels as well as construction of new berthing jetties at Bambooflat as well as Chatham. On 27 May 2014, a delegation met the Director, Shipping, in which representatives of general public as well as the voluntary organization, Humane Touch submitted a list of 16 points to improve the services between Bambooflat and Chatham. The representative of Humane Touch also assured the Director that the organisation, in association with DSS and Police will cooperate in conducting awareness on safety as well as good practices onboard the vessels. The delegation had also demanded deputation of two responsible officers at both ends to manage the services, widening of the track for two wheelers at Chatham, and expediting the repair and maintenance of MV Pilokunji and MV Lapathy and making it operational as spare boats to mitigate the crisis. However, even after three months and various meetings, not a single suggestion was implemented. The Secretary after hearing the delegation today has assured that a review meeting will be convened with the Director Shipping and other stakeholders on 11 August and discuss the issues and resolve it.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:00:58 +0000
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