Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 09 July 2025
All shops in Campbell Bay will remain closed today, and a chakka jam will be staged at Zero Point by the Small Traders Association in protest against the ongoing cargo transportation crisis from Sri Vijaya Puram to Great Nicobar Island.
The protest is being organized in response to the prolonged unavailability of a proper mode of transporting general cargo, which has led to a severe shortage of essential commodities in the region. The last passenger-cum-cargo vessel that carried general cargo to Campbell Bay reportedly sailed on 17th June 2025. Since then, no vessel has transported items like rice, pulses, oil, milk, and salt—staples that are now on the verge of going out of stock across shops in Campbell Bay.
While perishable goods such as vegetables and eggs have been transported on subsequent sailings, space for general cargo has consistently not been allotted, further worsening the situation.
Previously, the newer vessels—Sindhu and Nalanda—maintained a regular schedule to Campbell Bay, with weekly departures from Sri Vijaya Puram. However, one of these vessels is currently facing technical issues, and the other is unavailable due to its annual survey. At present, MV Campbell Bay is operating on the route, but the Directorate of Shipping Services has not permitted it to carry general cargo, for reasons unknown.
With nearly a month having passed since the last shipment of general cargo, shopkeepers report that essential goods are running dangerously low, prompting growing concern among both traders and residents.
The Small Traders Association has stated that it made repeated appeals to the local administration to resolve the issue, but no effective solution has been provided so far. The Association will now resort to shutting down all shops and staging a chakka jam in a bid to draw the attention of higher authorities.
“If the cargo crisis continues, the people of Campbell Bay will soon face an unprecedented shortage of essential items,” a member of the Association warned.
The protest is expected to send a strong message to the authorities, urging immediate intervention to restore regular cargo movement and safeguard the livelihoods and daily needs of the people in Great Nicobar.
