Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 04 December 2023
The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) has revolutionised commuting through its online ticket booking system. Offering convenience and efficiency, the service has significantly eased the process of securing ship journey tickets for passengers.
With the option to book tickets from the comfort of their homes, commuters have welcomed the initiative, leading to reduced crowds at the STARS Ticketing Counter situated at Phoenix Bay Jetty.
However, despite enabling online ticket bookings for all passenger categories to various tribal and non-tribal areas in the Islands, a notable exception exists. Specifically, only Islanders are permitted to book ship tickets online for travel from Port Blair to Campbell Bay.
Previously, travel restrictions for non-islanders to Great Nicobar Island were in place, requiring authorities’ approval for ticket issuance. While these limitations have been lifted, non-islanders are now allowed to travel freely to Campbell Bay. Yet, the crucial discrepancy lies in the online ticketing system, which solely allows offline purchases for non-islander travel to this destination.
The online portal lacks the option for non-islanders to book tickets from Port Blair to Campbell Bay (non-tribal area), contrary to the availability of online bookings for tribal areas like Car Nicobar and Katchal.
Interestingly, the booking of ship tickets for non-islanders traveling from Campbell Bay to Port Blair remains accessible online, raising queries about the inconsistency in the DSS online ticketing policy.
This limitation on the DSS online ticketing portal has caused significant inconvenience for non-islander residents of Great Nicobar, as well as relatives of Islanders and other individuals, who face challenges in securing ship tickets online.