Port Blair, Dec 30: Due to the outbreak of COVID 19 since 2020, the Directorate of Shipping Services had experienced severe difficulties in operation and maintenance of the vessels in the fleet. Due to insufficient manpower, non-availability of stores/spares, utilisation of dry-dock and completion of inspection and surveys the operational availability of vessels were very low in percentage, a release issued by Deputy Director (SS) said here today.
The release added that however, with such severe constrains, the Directorate took up various initiatives and action to address all such issues by liasioning with various agencies and authorities and brought the situation under control. Even with the depleted operational status of the vessels, the directorate put its best efforts in maintaining essential services in all sectors with limited resources.
The release further said that taking corrective measures towards repair plan, dry-docking plan and other required action, the directorate is now having sufficient number of operational vessels for the use in all sectors. Accordingly this directorate has deployed vessel to handle tourist requirement both for Swaraj Dweep as well as for Shaheed Dweep. Similarly, the inter island connectivity, particularly in Southern Group has been improved there by the passenger and cargo movement has increased to the satisfactory level. Even the Directorate regularly deploying exclusive cargo vessels to Southern Group of Islands which has eased movement of essential cargo including perishable such as vegetables, fishes etc.
“With this initiative the Directorate of Shipping Services could make MV Chowra for operation in Inter Island Sector which will further augment the shipping services particularly in the Southern Group of Island for passenger and cargo. Recently inducted vessel Sindhu has also resumed normal services to the satisfaction of passengers and traders for transportation of cargo. Inter Island vessel MV Campbell Bay is in the final stage of completion of repairs which is expected to arrive shortly and available for service. Similarly two foreshore sector vessels namely MV Kamorta & MV Chouldari have resumed the operation during this month,” the DDSS said in his release.
The release mentioned that MV Kamorta has already been deployed at Kamorta to provide inter connectivity between the islands in Southern Group. The Directorate has further initiated action to operationalise MV Kalighat in Inter Island Sector and MV Bambooka and MV Rani Lakshmi in Foreshore Sector vessels with which further augmentation of services in couple of weeks.
The release claimed that the Directorate of Shipping Services during the pandemic has tirelessly worked hard due to which the essential services were maintained, medicines, medical equipments and essential commodities were transported timely. The directorate has also successfully involved in transportation of Covid vaccines to various islands towards achieving the target of 100% vaccination in these islands.
“The Directorate of Shipping has also taken new initiative whereby a ‘HELPLINE’ (Toll Free Number 18003452714) has been made functional for the Redressal for grievances if any. Further to this the Directorate is also in the process to create facilities for Net Enquiry and e-Booking of tickets for the passengers which is in final stage and likely to be launched shortly,” the DDSS release said.
