Ferry services at Bambooflat Jetty were severely disrupted on Tuesday after members of the movement Paani Paar Ki Awaaz staged a large-scale protest demanding the immediate reopening and repair of the New Chatham Jetty, which has remained non-operational for nearly a decade.
The protest led to a blockade of ferry vessels arriving from Chatham and the Marine Jetty, preventing them from docking at Bambooflat. As a result, ferry operations between Bambooflat and Sri Vijaya Puram were thrown into disarray, causing widespread inconvenience to daily commuters, office-goers, traders and wage earners who rely on the route for work and business.
The agitation was triggered by the continued closure of the Chatham Bridge, which has forced passengers disembarking at the old Chatham Jetty to walk nearly one kilometre to reach public transport on the other side. Protesters argued that reopening the New Chatham Jetty would significantly ease commuter movement and reduce physical strain, particularly for senior citizens, women, and those travelling for medical reasons.
Several stranded passengers expressed frustration as ferry services remained disrupted for hours. A daily wage worker from Bambooflat said the blockade had cost him an entire day’s income, underscoring the economic impact of the disruption on those dependent on daily travel for survival. Many commuters said while they supported the demand in principle, they were concerned about the immediate loss of work hours and missed appointments.
According to members of Paani Paar Ki Awaaz, the New Chatham Jetty was operational around ten years ago but has since remained unused despite repeated representations to authorities. They said the continued dependence on the older jetty has created avoidable hardship, especially in the wake of restricted access caused by the bridge closure.
Balakrishna, a resident of Haddo, said the protest was aimed at securing permission for ferry vessels to dock at the New Chatham Jetty instead of the older structure. He pointed to safety concerns at the old jetty, claiming vibrations have been observed during ferry operations, raising anxiety among passengers.
He also highlighted accessibility issues, noting that the old jetty allows only limited vehicle access, while the New Chatham Jetty is situated closer to bus stops and auto-rickshaw stands. According to protesters, allowing ferries to operate from the newer jetty would enable commuters to transition more easily to other modes of transport, reducing walking distance and improving overall safety.
The protest created tense scenes at Bambooflat Jetty as ferry movements remained restricted through the evening. Commuters voiced concern over the lack of timely resolution, even as they acknowledged the long-standing nature of the demand.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kamleshwar Rao visited the protest site and held discussions with demonstrators. Addressing the gathering, Rao said the administration is in the process of repairing the New Chatham Jetty. He stated that raw materials required for the repair work are yet to arrive from the mainland but assured that efforts are being made to expedite the process. Rao said the administration would attempt to complete the work by the end of February.
The incident once again highlighted persistent transport and infrastructure challenges faced by harbour commuters in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
