Port Blair, Sept 04: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today demanded to operate passenger vessel between Chennai – Port Blair and Kolkata- Port Blair sectors to bring back Islanders, who are stranded at mainland due to high airfare.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that many Islanders stranded in Chennai and Kolkata have informed him that due to high airfare between Chennai-Port Blair and Kolkata- Port Blair sectors, they are unavailable to reach Port Blair from Mainland India.
He mentioned that when cross-checked by MP office staffs, it has been found that the airfare from Chennai to Port Blair, in the month of September, ranges from Rs.8000-Rs.29,000. Similarly airfare between Kolkata and Port Blair, in the month of September, ranges from Rs. 10,000-Rs. 28,000, which is unaffordable for a lot of people, especially people from low-income groups and Islanders, who have gone to the mainland for medical treatment.
The MP pointed out that in absence of a mainland passenger vessel from mainland these stranded Islanders can’t avail ship journey for Port Blair. For them staying back in Mainland and waiting for airfare is also impossible, as, living cost per day in the mainland for a low-income group family is beyond their budget.
Considering their genuine problems, the Member of Parliament requested the Chief Secretary to operate a passenger vessel from Chennai to Port Blair and Kolkata to Port Blair, so that these Islanders can reach Port Blair safely by buying ship tickets, which are cheaper and affordable for them.
