Passengers Struggle Aboard MV Bharat Seema Vessel, Demand Better Ships

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, June 02: Passengers travelling on the Bharat Seema vessel have voiced strong complaints about the dire conditions aboard the ship, which they allege is unfit for the long journey to Car Nicobar. The trip from Port Blair to Car Nicobar via Hut Bay reportedly takes almost 24 hours, and travellers are facing significant hardships due to the vessel’s inadequate amenities.
Public grievances center around the vessel’s lack of basic facilities. Passengers have reported insufficient cabins and according to them many cabins are without proper functioning air conditioning, making the journey uncomfortable. The canteen area, too, has been criticized for its poor hygiene, while the bunk and deck class areas lack proper sanitation. In deck area seats lack proper cushioning.
Additionally, the old ship Bharat Seema, is often described as “more like a cargo vessel than a passenger ship”, further diminishing the travel experience. The vessel’s slow speed exacerbates these problems, leading to longer travel times and increased discomfort for those on board.
For the past several months, residents and government servants posted in Car Nicobar have primarily had to rely on either MV Kalighat or MV Bharat Seema for their journeys. This has left many deeply disappointed, as MV Bharat Seema, as per passengers, does not meet the standards expected for such long trips.
Passengers are now demanding that the administration schedule newer ships like MV Sindhu and MV Nalanda for Car Nicobar routes. These ships have previously serviced Car Nicobar on several occasions, including during the last Rozgar Mela when MV Sindhu was dispatched to pick up job aspirants. The reasons behind the lack of regular scheduling of these newer vessels for Car Nicobar remain unclear to the public.
Passengers are calling for diverting MV Bharat Seema for shorter routes like Swaraj, Rangat and Long Island. They urge the authorities to schedule MV Sindhu and MV Nalanda for Car Nicobar and other remote islands, ensuring a safer and more comfortable travel experience.