Port Blair, Nov 07: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Island Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today called on the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Jitendra Narain and during the meeting, the Member of Parliament highlighted the issue of tourist boat operation timing in Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep.
The Member of Parliament informed the Chief Secretary that instead of 8.00 AM presently the small tourist boats are being permitted to operate only after 10 AM as per the latest SOP.
He informed that before lockdowns the small tourist boats were allowed to operate in these two Islands from 8.00 AM. Now because of this change in timing, the boat operators are unable to reap the benefits of the arrival of a large number of tourists after a prolonged period of lockdowns.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma added that because of the constant efforts of Andaman Nicobar Administration the tourism has finally reopened in Andaman Nicobar Island and a large number of tourists are coming to these islands but due to present timing, the boat operators are unable to visit tourists for various water sports activities.
The Member of Parliament mentioned that a large number of unemployed youths of Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep have purchased these small tourist boats for tourism activities by taking loans from Banks and now they are suffering a huge loss, even after the opening of Tourism.
Hence the Member of Parliament has requested the Chief Secretary to change the timing of the boat operation from 10.00 AM to 8.00 AM, as it was there, before the COVID-19 lockdown.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary assured the Member of Parliament to do needful in this regard.
