Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 18 April 2025
The Joint Action Telugu Community (JATC) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is set to organize a meeting at Tiranga Park on April 19, 2025, from 3 PM to 8 PM, to highlight long-pending issues related to ship and air services between the islands and mainland India.
According to a letter issued by B. Hema Raju, General Secretary of JATC-ANI, permission for the meeting has been granted by the District Administration, and all communities & associations have been urged to participate and support the forum’s demands.
Key Demands Raised by the Forum:
- Additional Ship Services to Visakhapatnam During Summer Vacation
The Telugu community, along with residents from neighbouring states, heavily relies on ship travel to reach their hometowns during the summer for religious events, family visits, and educational purposes. However, the group stated that no shipping schedule to Visakhapatnam has been announced in the last two months, forcing many to face inconvenience.
With airfares during peak season soaring to ₹10,000–₹12,000, the forum emphasized the need for at least two ship services per month from April to June 2025 between Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) and Visakhapatnam.
2. Concessional Airfares and Deployment of New Vessels
Highlighting the limited connectivity to the mainland, the forum stressed that islanders are burdened by excessive airfares, often crossing ₹15,000—and going as high as ₹30,000. This is particularly distressing for middle-income families and those seeking urgent medical care.
JATC also expressed concern over the lack of functional ships in the mainland-island sector. With MV Nicobar and MV Nancowry auctioned and MV Swaraj Dweep under repair, the Islanders are left with minimal sea transport options. While the Administration has placed orders for two new ships—Atal and Ashoka—with Cochin Shipyard at a cost of ₹1,294 crores, their delayed deployment has only worsened the situation.
The community called on authorities to expedite the induction of these vessels and regulate airline ticket pricing for islanders.
The JATC described the event at Tiranga Park as a non-political gathering aimed at ensuring the rights and mobility of islanders. “We request all associations and committees to join hands and make this programme a grand success,” stated the letter.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to place renewed pressure on the authorities to address longstanding connectivity challenges that continue to impact the daily lives and well-being of thousands across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.