Port Blair, Jan 05: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to induct modern, fast, bigger and better Vehicle Ferry Vessels for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
He suggested that to save time, such bigger and better vehicle ferry vessels can be brought to Andaman on wet lease for next four to five years.
The Member of Parliament mentioned that bigger vehicle ferry vessels will not only save precious time for residents of South Andaman but also make life easy for commuters of Bambooflat and Port Blair route.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he pointed out that everyday more than 20,000 people from South Andaman region viz Port Blair, Bambooflat, Wimberlygunj, Shorepoint, Stewardgunj, Mathura, Mannarghat, Wright Myo, Shoal Bay etc commute through vehicle ferry vessels.
He mentioned that to handle the rush, time and again we have seen many restrictions on people and vehicles in Vehicle Ferry Vessels. He added that such restrictions are not the right solution to the actual problem, which is shortage of sufficient number of vehicle ferry vessels and absence of bigger vehicle ferry vessels.
He pointed out that although there is a move from the side of the Government of India to construct a bridge between Chatham and Bambooflat but the date of starting of the project and completion of the bridge is yet not known.
Hence, he mentioned that in the next four to five years commuters of Bamboofat and Chatham have to rely solely on the present fleet of vehicle ferry vessels for reaching either side for job, school, medical etc other purposes, even if the said bridge construction works begin anywhere soon.
He pointed out that the present fleet of vehicle ferry vessels are not only unbelievably old but also are very small in size and are terribly slow.
The Member of Parliament added that in this modern age we have multi-level vehicle ferry vessels, which can accommodate a large number of two wheelers, four wheelers and heavy vehicles along with hundreds of passengers.
