Continuing our journey towards Baratang Island after experiencing Jarawas…
Our vehicle reached Middle Strait Jetty as per schedule, which was 90 minutes from Jirkatang check post, and the time was around 7:30 A.M. The next task was to board RO-RO ferry to the Baratang Island. At the time of arrival to the Middle Strait Jetty, the driver had to report at the check-post about the arrival of vehicle and for return journey form is also required to be collected from the check-post.
Middle Strait Jetty and Baratang Island are separated with back-water of Arabian sea and had to be crossed with help of RO-RO ferry which is only 2 in number. The ferry can accommodate almost 100 of passengers and can also carry bus, truck and cars who are willing to cross the back-water or going to Diglipur. The cost of transfer is very minimal which is Rs. 12.00 per passenger and the ticket can be purchased before boarding or after boarding.
It is 30 minutes ride from Middle Strait Jetty to Baratang Island, which includes boarding and de-boarding at respective islands. The ferry is normally overcrowded and hence the seats are limited, so most of the people had to stand while on-board, so it is better to board the ferry as early as possible.
We boarded the ferry late but certainly not at the last, but we were the first batch to arrive at the Baratang island. On arrival at the island, our cab driver asked us to hand-over the identity card for booking speed boat to the lime stone cave because the cave can be accessed through speed boat only and only Indian citizens are allowed to visit that place. So, permit has to be obtained from the check-post of Forest department and than boat tickets can be booked, since they check the identity of the visitors. Our cab driver took the permit form to the forest department check-post and then stood in the line to buy ticket for boat ride.
The Trouble
Back water separates both the islands, so Baratang Island also carries untouched and unexplored beauty, due to restrictions in place on tourism. Limited arrangement for food is available and a bamboo shed (hut) has been made facing the back water, for tourists to wait for their trip and relax. So, we also took our seat inside hut and the wait started.
For next 10 minutes, I could see that all the tourists were boarding the speed boat and moving towards Lime stone cave but there was no clue on our turn. We kept an eye on our cab driver for signal to board the boat but there was no response from his end. All other tourists were going but he was still standing on the booking counter. After 5 more minutes, when most of the crowd has gone, we started getting reckless and we went and asked the status with cab driver. He informed that the form is submitted and the name will be called after boat is allotted. We were bit relaxed after hearing this but the cab driver didn’t revealed entire story.
We again sat inside the hut and our wait was getting longer. But after 10 more minutes, we found that almost all the tourists have been allotted boat and only 5 persons are left for boat allotment. We sensed that something suspicious is going on between the cab driver and the booking counter. We lost our patience and we enquired the driver about the non allotment of boat with strict words, on which he revealed the correct story.