To preserve the aesthetic appeal, the above old photo has been sourced from ANDAMANTOURISM.ORG.IN.
- K Yadagiri Rao
Port Blair, July 23: If someone asks us the exact
meaning of the phrase "from bad to worse," we now have a glaring
example - the Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge. What was once promised as the
Chatham to Bambooflat Bridge during election campaigns has now deteriorated
into a crisis surrounding the Haddo to Chatham Bridge itself.
The Government had assured the public of
constructing a bridge connecting Chatham to Bambooflat, as part of election
promises. But in reality, it has even failed to maintain the existing Haddo -
Chatham Bridge. A headline in Andaman Sheekha dated February 16, 2015, reads -
"Nitin Gadkari promises crucial bridges for Andamans: Work for
construction of Bambooflat - Chatham Bridge within 8 months: Gadkari."
Ironically today, authorities are only allowing
two-wheelers to pass on the approximately 150-meter-long Haddo - Chatham Bridge
due to the dilapidated condition of the deck slab and supporting beams. One
wonders how the Chatham Sawmill, fire brigade services, and powerhouse
operations are continuing on two-wheelers?
Meanwhile, for over a month now, school and college
students, patients, senior citizens, and other daily commuters, especially
those carrying baggage, have been facing severe inconvenience. The boat
services too are running off-schedule, possibly due to unpredictable weather
conditions.
Despite repeated assurances by top government
officials and politicians, the public, filled with hope yet helpless, continues
to silently bear the hardships.
Notably, late journalist Zubair Ahmed had aptly titled one of his articles, "Bridging Chatham in 1930!", published on October 30, 2020, in his web portal The Sunday Islander. It's worth reading through the link https://thesundayislander.in/top-stories/bridging-chatham-in-1930/.
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