Sarthak Kanjilal
Neil, October 13: Around 102 Tourists remained stranded at Neil Island today as the Directorate of Shipping Services suddenly and without prior intimation sent a small vessel with low passenger carrying capacity to the Neil Island.
As per reports, the DSS earlier used to send Speed Vessel MV Bambooka and MV North Passage which has a carrying capacity of around 150 Passengers but today the DSS has sent Speed Vessel MV Chouldary to Neil Island following which around 102 Tourist couldn’t manage to get the ticket for returning back to Port Blair.
Andaman Sheekha learnt that around 52 passengers who are presently stranded at Neil Island have to check in to the Veer Savarkar International Airport before 10:30am tomorrow as they have to board a flight for mainland tomorrow.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Neil Gram Panchayat, Mr Ram Kumar Biswas alleged that more than 102 passengers remained stranded because of the fault of Shipping Services.
“I request the administration to take some immediate steps and anyhow manage to delay tomorrow afternoon flights for a few hours so that the 52 passengers who are stranded at Neil Island may catch the flight. I also request the administration to arrange a bus facility for the tourist to Airport from the Jetty so that they may reach the airport on time,” Mr Ram said.
Further talking to Andaman Sheekha, the President, Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Mr M. Vinod requested the administration to arrange an alternate vessel for these stranded tourists immediately.
Andaman Sheekha tried to contact the Director, Shipping Services but he was not reachable for a comment on phone.
