Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Feb 01: On the MV Bharat Seema acquiring row, when contacted, the Director of Shipping Services, Capt (IN) Rajinder Kumar informed that Lakshadweep Shipping Services procured a new vessel, MV Corals, in May last year.
With the new induction, M V Bharat Seema Surplus went surplus in the fleet.
When the Ministry of Shipping Services was approached for procurement of new vessels for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Administration was asked whether it was interested to get the Bharat Seema under Book Transfer mode i.e without any capital cost.
The DSS evinced interest in the proposal as commissioning of the vessel will bring some respite for the people of the southern group of islands. With minor modification and certification, Bharat Seema will become capable of delivering better services than MV Chowra and MV Sentinel, the DSS added.“It will take nearly three to four years for arrival of new ships, we ordered and till then this ship will be a great relief for Islanders,” the Kumar added.