Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Aug 21: Andaman Nicobar Administration decided to discontinue passenger ferry service to Southern group of islands after the sudden spike in number of Covid19 patients in South Andaman region.
Crew of various vessels getting infected with this disease attributed to this cause.
This decision was appreciated by people of Southern group of islands but as the decision was taken all of a sudden, a peculiar problem cropped in.
Those who had gone to tribal belt with Tribal pass are unable to return back after expiry of their pass. Many government servants who came to Port Blair for various works are held up here.
Those who came for medical checkup are stranded here and those who are suffering from serious ailments are unable to come to Port Blair.
There are instances in which even seriously ill patients in Nicobar group are unable to get rare medicines on time. In the absence of regular Helicopter service these islands are totally cut-off.
Administration needs to understand the gravity of the situation and ensure that atleast one passenger vessel should sail out of Port Blair to Southern group of islands touching all port’s and return through the same route in two weeks.
Antigen test should be made mandatory for those who are willing to travel by those Ships. This sailing will be of great help to those stranded in Southern group of islands.
Meanwhile problems are not different in North and Middle Andaman and hence people are demanding atleast weekly ferries to all ports of North and Middle Andaman also for emergency purposes.
Most importantly for any sailing the Administration must give proper publicity of the sailing programme so that those who are waiting for a ferry can avail the ferry and those who want to send life saving drugs to heart and sugar patients can also make proper arrangements.
Andaman Sheekha tried to contact the Director of Shipping Services but due to poor BSNL network comment of the Director of Shipping Services could not be taken, even after repeated attempt.
