Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Aug 01: Altogether 30 crew members of MV Kalighat are going through horrible time near Cochin Port area as onboard the ship they are facing scarcity of water and severe shortage of ration items. Today the crew member had only some rice to cook with only 200 grams of pulses for 30 people.
Once a star performer, MV Kalighat is presently out of action since nearly last two years because of various technical snags.
Few Weeks back the SCI reportedly directed the ship’s captain to rush to Cochin Port for urgent repair works. Braving rough sea when MV Kalighat atlast reached Cochin, it was disheartening for all crew members to find that nothing has been arranged for the ship repair at Cochin Port. Situation was so bad that since last 10 days the vessel was not even allowed to berth at Cochin Port.
It is learnt that although the captain of MV Kalighat has ordered for more food items for crew on Friday but it is very difficult to get stocks, when ship is at anchor.
Sources alleged that due to sheer negligence and lack of coordination from the side of SCI the ship did not get a dry dock or berthing place yet for repair works.
The Administration is paying nearly 12 to 15 crores to SCI for the maintenance of MV Kalighat and Rs. 200 crores for all other vessels. But still one can see that most of the time most of the vessels remain un-seaworthy.
When tried to contact, even after repeated attempts the in-charge of SCI in Andaman could not be contacted for a comment.
The General Public are suffering too much for lack of ships for Nicobar Group of Islands and sadly here due to negligence the ships are not getting repaired at time. This is high time for Administration to intervene into this matter and direct SCI to keep all the ships fit for sailing. For now atleast the Administration must arrange sufficient food stuffs for the crew members of MV Kalighat.
