Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 06: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, attended the Consultative Committee Meeting of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways held on 03.11.2026 at Puri, Odisha, under the chairmanship of Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
During the meeting, the MP strongly raised 03 important pending issues regarding Re-construction of 13 jetties and acquisition of 04 Nos. ships concerning the maritime infrastructure and shipping connectivity of the Islands including construction of shipyard at ATI Land, Bambooflat.
The Hon’ble MP urged the Ministry to accord priority and provide necessary financial sanction for the immediate reconstruction of 13 jetties in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, based on the detailed survey conducted by the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) and the proposals along with Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) already submitted to the Ministry, involving an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 750 crore.
Highlighting the urgent necessity of these works, he pointed out that these jetties are presently in a highly dilapidated and dangerous condition, posing serious risks to public safety and causing inconvenience to the islanders. He emphasised that jetties are the lifeline of the Islands, as shipping remains the principal means of transportation of essential commodities, goods, materials and passengers, particularly for the remote and far-flung islands.
The MP also placed before the Committee the list of 13 jetties (Long Island Jetty, Swaraj Dweep Jetty, Yeretta Jetty, Diglipur Jetty, East Island Jetty, Champin Jetty, Rangat Jetty, Chatham Wharf, Panighat Jetty, Mayabunder Wharf, NSCB Jetty, Chain Nallah Jetty and Aberdeen Jetty) requiring immediate reconstruction, along with photographs highlighting their existing deplorable conditions, and requested the Ministry to expedite the necessary approvals and release of funds.
The MP also strongly pursued the pending proposal of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, already submitted to the Ministry, seeking approval and financial sanction for the construction and acquisition of four new passenger-cum-cargo vessels, each having a capacity of 500 passengers and 150 MT of cargo, at an estimated cost of Rs. 450 crore per vessel, amounting to a total project cost of Rs. 1,800 crore in place of the existing 04 vessels (MV Bharat Sheema, MV Sentinel, MV Chowra and MV Dering which are proposed to be replaced, are scheduled for decommissioning during the period 2027–2029.
He requested the Ministry to expedite the approval and sanction of these proposals with vessels of the proposed MV Nalanda model, to strengthen inter-island shipping connectivity and ensure reliable transportation facilities for the people of the Islands.
The MP emphasised that timely reconstruction of the jetties and augmentation of the shipping fleet are of paramount importance for ensuring safe, reliable and uninterrupted transportation services and improving the overall connectivity and development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
