Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Visakhapatnam / Port Blair, June 16: The grim conditions at Vizag Port, a crucial boarding point for Andaman-bound passengers, have triggered strong criticism from local leaders and the public alike. Ward No. 2 Councillor of Port Blair, Mr. Someshwar Rao, has raised serious concerns about the plight of islanders using the port, describing it as “inhuman” and “worse than slave-trade era conditions”.
In an exclusive interview with Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Someshwar Rao shared firsthand accounts of how coal dust from shipping operations has engulfed the port area, making it nearly uninhabitable for passengers. “When it’s sunny, coal dust fills the air and sticks to the skin. When it rains, the entire area turns black and slippery. People look like they’ve come out of a coal mine,” he remarked, expressing dismay over the lack of cleanliness and safety measures.
He further criticized the shipping schedule, pointing out that only a few sailings are operated during summer vacations — a time when most Andaman residents travel to and from the mainland. “Instead of being a clean and welcoming jetty like the ones in Andaman, this place feels like a coal yard. We deserve better,” he said.
Adding to the woes is the alleged mismanagement in ticketing. According to Mr. Rao, a private agency is monopolizing ticket sales, leading to black marketing. “Only 50% of the tickets are made available online, and the rest are controlled by private agents who sell them at inflated prices. Why can’t the administration make it 90% online like it is in the Andamans?” he questioned. He also pointed out the lack of government oversight, with only one junior engineer from the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) posted at Vizag, unable to handle the operational demands.
Infrastructure issues are rampant as well. The Andaman Guest House near the port reportedly has only two functional rooms, insufficient air conditioning, and poorly maintained toilets. “One public toilet remains locked because the safety tank is jammed. The administration says the tank can’t be cleared unless requisitioned from Andaman itself. Why such bureaucratic delays for basic sanitation?” Rao asked.
His concerns echo the sentiments of many Telugu-speaking residents and islanders stranded at the port. A recent video sent from Visakhapatnam by a frustrated traveler showed families, including children and elderly, waiting in the rain with luggage scattered around coal piles. “We are treated as if we don’t matter. We have no shelter, no dignity,” said one traveler, appealing directly to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for immediate intervention.
Several also spoke about the unaffordable cost of air travel during summer. “Plane tickets are beyond our reach. A family of five cannot even dream of flying. Ships are our only hope, and even that is being mishandled,” said another passenger, requesting the administration to add 3-4 ship sailings during peak seasons.
Mr. Someshwar Rao mentioned that a new passenger jetty adjacent to the current coal-loading terminal is expected to open in a couple of months. “Once that opens, ships will shift there, away from the coal zone. This could bring much-needed relief,” he said, though cautioning that timelines remain vague.
Meanwhile, he urged the administration to increase transparency in ticketing, improve sanitation, and speed up the opening of the new jetty. “Public sentiment is boiling over. These are Indian citizens being treated as second-class travelers. The system needs fixing — now,” he concluded.
