The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Anindo Majumdar on Friday cleared that the work for Alternate Sea Route connecting Port Blair and Baratang has been completed. He said that the route will commence from 1st of October 2017, with government boats starting to ply in the sector to begin with. The Chief Secretary also said that the Administration is working on modalities to bring in private boat operators to ply in the sector after the route commences. Opening up of alternate sea route by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration is being taken up in compliance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s verdict. The Administration will be shifting tourists from the road to sea as per the commitment made before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, he said. Meanwhile the road that passes through the Jarawa Reserve Forest will remain open for islanders, he added.