DJ Venkatesh & Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, May 20: Over 1,100 passengers bound for Port Blair by a MV Swaraj Dweep have been stranded at Visakhapatnam Port for over 48 hours due to the cyclonic storm ‘Roanu’.
The ship MV MV Swaraj Dweep, was originally scheduled to leave on Wednesday. Due to cyclonic weather, the captain of the ship decided to set sail only after the cyclone crossed the coast.
“Though the decision to delay the departure was taken May 18, on the day it was supposed to leave, the passengers, most of them poor labourers from North Andhra and Odisha, were allowed to board the ship on humanitarian ground. They were provided drinking water and access to toilets. We have informed the SCI to make some arrangement for their food,” Visakhapatnam Port Deputy Chairman P.L. Haranadh told media.
The port authorities have also decided to allow the passengers to go out to make their own arrangement for food if they so wished. The canteen in the ship is being maintained by a private contractor.
The journey from here to Port Blair takes nearly two-and-a-half days.
The agents for the ship said their job was to provide port services for their client and they had already informed the Andaman Nicobar Islands Administration to make arrangement for food for the poor passengers. “We are awaiting their response,” he said. (with input from The Hindu)
Meanwhile talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. R Veeraiah, the Deputy Director of Shipping Services today said that the DSS has already directed the master to take the passengers on board as the situation was not that good because of the cyclone.
“Yesterday the port authorities visited the vessel at around 10pm to inspect the situation, where many issues were discussed. The master got some queries from the passengers for free food etc., which we have already started from the second half. Till the ship is at the port we will provide them the food free of cost. Providing free food till the vessel is arrived is not yet decided. The DSS is providing all support and the ship MV Nicobar is also safe and there is nothing to panic,” he said.
