Port Blair, Mar 10: Mr. Abdul Siddique, General Secretary, Andaman Moplah Service Organisation has requested the Prime Minister of India to review the proposal of handing over 1200 pax capacity passenger ships MV. Ashoka and MV. Atal to Indian Navy.
Mr. Siddique also requested the Prime Minister to retain these ships for the original intended purpose, which is for service between Island and Mainland sector, in the larger interest of Islanders.
In a letter addressed to the PM, the General Secretary of AMSO quoted media reports saying that the A & N Administration has planned to decommission the ship M.V. Nancowry, which is in final stage of approval with Ministry of Shipping.
He said that Ship between Mainland and Islands is required for the islanders, which brings essential commodities, vegetables etc.
“The A&N Administration is planning to handover the above 02 new ships to Indian Navy for the use of hospital as per news papers. For the construction of the ships, it took more than 5 to 10 years and every year during 15th August (Independences Day) and 26 January (Republic Day) it was announced and promised in the media by the Lt. Governor of A&N Island that new ship is coming shortly for Islanders’ service. Sir, even during your good visit to this islands your good self had also announced in the Netaji Stadium about the 02 new ship of 1200 passengers capacity and 2 new ships of 500 passengers capacity will be shortly inducted for the service of A&N Island for the convenient of passengers travelling between Island to mainland/inter-island,” he pointed out.
The General Secretary of AMSO added that now, when ship MV.ASHOKA of 1200 passenger capacity is ready in final stage and another is under construction. All of a sudden the A&N Administration has taken decision and planed no to operate passenger ships of 1200 passenger capacity and hand over two ships to Indian Navy.
“Ship journey is always synonymous with the travel plan of the poor and lower middle class always relay on ship to reach mainland. The proposed decommissioning of the ship MV Nancowry will create permanent vacuum in the passenger vessel fleet, if necessary replacement is not made. The absence of ships between Island to Mainland may also adversely affect the regular traveler by ships, the small traders, fruits & Vegetables vendors, students perusing higher studies in mainland and medical patients travels frequently to mainland for critical medical patients for treatment along with attendants and specialty treatment which is not available in these remote islands,” he said.
Mr. Abdul Siddique also pointed out that once these under-construction ships are inducted into service for the islanders, being Government owned ships, these can be used by Indian navy at any given time at time of emergency.
