Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Jan 12: It has been learnt that the sailing of MV Nancowry was cancelled because the Mercantile Marine Department officials at Chennai did not give permission to the passenger ship which was found to be plying with two faulty generators.
As per reports published in national media after the MMD’s intervention all the 700 passengers were told to disembark. It has been learnt that some irked passengers gheroed the Andaman administration office near the Shipping corporation of India office demanding board and lodge facility.
Following the intervention of the Harbour police, the protestors left peacefully. The sudden cancellation has put the Andaman administration in a fix as there is no provision for making hotel arrangements as is the case with air passengers.
Andaman Sheekha in recent past had highlighted about poor maintenance of Mainland as well as Inter-Island ships but it seems that the Administration is waiting for another major disaster at sea to take any steps in this regard. This must be investigated now that how the ship with two faulty generators was allowed to sail from Port Blair to Chennai. (with input from ENS)
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