Tourists and locals warn of dangers on North Bay’s unlit road, calling for urgent infrastructure improvements.
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 5: A newly constructed road on North Bay Island, intended to boost tourism by improving access to major coastal attractions, is under scrutiny just two months after its inauguration. Visitors and residents have flagged gaps in basic infrastructure, particularly street lighting, safety features, and sanitation
The road connects tourists to popular activities such as snorkelling, sea walking, and glass-bottom boating at North Bay. However, the northern section remains unlit, leaving the stretch difficult to navigate after sundown. There are also no safety barriers along areas adjacent to the shoreline.
V. Shweta, a visitor from Bengaluru, recounted a close call. “The lack of lighting and barricades between the road and the sea made it very dangerous; we nearly met with an accident,” she told The Wave Andaman. She also pointed out the unhygienic state of the public washrooms at North Bay Beach.
Rohit, a daily commuter and resident of Bambooflat, an area from where many locals cross over to North Bay or nearby jetties for work, echoed these concerns. “Without lights or railings, travelling back in the evening is quite risky, especially for two-wheeler users,” he said.
Tourism industry representatives have also flagged the issue. Mohan Vinod, President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), said the matter has been raised with the authorities. “We are open to partnering with the administration to make the area safer and more visitor-friendly,” he said.
Despite these issues, the road is viewed as a welcome initiative to support tourism. It significantly reduces travel time to the North Bay Lighthouse, one of the island’s most iconic landmarks, making it easier for both tourists and tour operators to plan visits more efficiently.
Observers note that in most established tourist destinations, such roads are typically equipped with street lighting, basic sanitation, and safety infrastructure. The absence of these elements on North Bay’s new stretch has prompted calls for corrective action.
Local stakeholders say that addressing these shortcomings promptly will help ensure the road meets its intended purpose, improving access without compromising safety or visitor experience.
