Thursday, January 24, 2013

Andaman Admn Closes ATR for Tourists



Andaman Admn Closes ATR for Tourists

The Andaman and Nicobar Admn abiding by the Supreme Court direction have issued a notice closing the Andaman Trunk Road for tourist traffic. The notice said that the direction of SC will be implemented in both letter and spirit. It also warned the tour operators not to take any tourist through the road or to face legal action as per the law.

The Special Leave Petition relating to the matter of Buffer Zone came up for hearing before the Supreme Court on 21 Jan 2013.  The revised Buffer Zone Notification issued by the A&N Admn dated 17.01.2013, excluding the settlement villages from 5 km. radius of Buffer Zone was taken on record by Supreme Court.  After hearing the submissions made on behalf of the A&N Administration by Shri Paras Kuhad, Addl. Solicitor General of India and other Senior Lawyers, the Hon’ble Court directed that the Andaman Trunk Road could be used by the people residing in the settlement villages, Govt. Officials and other bonafide road users including those who transport goods and services to the settlement villages in the North and Middle Andaman District. 

However, Hon’ble Court directed that till the next date of hearing, no tourists should use the Andaman Trunk Road. The Hon’ble Court has posted the matter for further hearing on 26th February, 2013. The formal order of Hon’ble Court is awaited.

The Admn is issuing guidelines to the Govt. Departments concerned separately. The Admn has advised all tourists to abide by the court directions.  

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