Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 03 February 2024
Non-Islander passengers are being barred from booking ship tickets online for travel from Port Blair to Campbell Bay, raising questions about the Directorate of Shipping Services’ (DSS) policy and leading to allegations of discrimination.
The introduction of online ship ticket booking by the DSS has been hailed for its convenience, allowing passengers to secure tickets from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to stand in long queues at STARS Ticketing Counters. However, a noticeable exception has emerged for non-Islanders seeking passage from Port Blair to Campbell Bay.
While ship tickets for various sectors are available online for both Islanders and non-Islanders, the specific restriction on online booking of tickets for non-Islanders for travel from Port Blair to Campbell Bay remains unexplained. The DSS has not provided any clarification on this issue on their official website, leaving passengers puzzled and frustrated.
Non-Islander passengers attempting to book tickets in advance for the Port Blair to Campbell Bay route at the STARS Ticketing Counter in Campbell Bay have also encountered obstacles. Instead of facilitating issue of ticket at Campbell Bay, they are directed to approach the STARS Ticketing Counter in Port Blair for ticket purchases.
This policy disproportionately affects non-Islanders, particularly spouses of local Islanders in Great Nicobar, migrant labourers employed in Campbell Bay, and long-time residents of Great Nicobar without an Islander Card. These individuals feel marginalised and relegated to a second-class status, given that non-Islanders can effortlessly book ship tickets online for various destinations, except for Campbell Bay.
Local residents argue that the discriminatory practice lacks justification, especially when comparing it to other routes. Campbell Bay, designated as a non-tribal area, stands in contrast to Car Nicobar and Nancowry, both tribal areas. Non-Islanders can freely book tickets for travel to Car Nicobar and Nancowry without being required to input even their Tribal Pass details during the online booking process. Instead, tribal passes are only requested during boarding.
The outcry against this discriminatory practice is growing, with calls for an immediate end to the restriction on non-Islanders booking ship tickets online for travel from Port Blair to Campbell Bay.