Saket Lal
Port Blair, Apr 21: The Directorate of Shipping Services is working towards strengthening the fleet of passenger vessels in this territory for the benefit of ship commuters. Sharing details with Andaman Sheekha, the Director of Shipping Services, Captain Rajinder Kumar recently said that the administration plans to procure about 25 new vessels under the XII Five Year Plan in the next two to three years.
“Of the new fleet of 25 passenger vessels, four will be purchased for the mainland sector, four for the inter-island sector, 3 foreshore and 14 habour crafts. Under the Make In India scheme, brainchild of the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, all the 25 new passengers will be built indigenously at the Cochin Ship Yard. Contracts for the four mainland vessels, 4 interisland vessels will be placed in the next few months,” informed Capt. Rajinder Kumar.
For the fore shore sector and the Harbour Crafts, the Shipping Corporation of India is expected to float tenders soon. If everything goes as per schedule, the Shipping sector here will be bolstered with the induction of 25 new vessels in the next 2-3 years, said the Shipping Director.
On the lack of jetties in various parts of these islands particularly the Nicobar group, Captain Kumar said that sustained efforts are on to improve the port infrastructure in these islands. Damaged badly or completely washed out during the 2004 earthquake and tsunami, the Jetty construction agency, ALHW in association with the Shipping Department is working towards development of jetties in the affected regions. Ports to facilitate berthing of small vessels have been planned for islands like Teressa, Chowra, Katchal, Little Nicobar, Great Nicobar islands. Similarly, the crucial Port at Car Nicobar is poised for a major expansion to facilitate berthing of larger vessels, stated Captain Kumar.
