Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 September 2023
In a bid to address the pressing need for efficient cargo transportation to the Great Nicobar Islands, Member of Parliament (MP) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has called upon the authorities to allocate cargo containers exclusively for Great Nicobar Island (Campbell Bay) onboard Sindhu and Nalanda vessels.
In a formal letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma acknowledged and praised the consistent efforts of the Administration and the Directorate of Shipping Service for their steadfast operations of the vessels Sindhu and Nalanda. These operations have played a pivotal role in benefiting the islanders by ensuring the smooth flow of essential supplies and goods to the region.
Emphasising the critical role played by the Sindhu and Nalanda vessels, the Member of Parliament highlighted their impressive capacity to carry up to ten cargo containers. Currently, five of these containers are designated for Kamorta and Katchal, two vital islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. These containers have proven instrumental in facilitating the transportation of goods from the regional hub of Port Blair to these remote islands, ensuring the residents’ access to essential commodities.
However, taking into consideration the earnest requests from the residents, particularly those residing on Great Nicobar Island (Campbell Bay), Mr. Sharma has called for the allocation of two cargo containers exclusively for the Great Nicobar Islands. This proposed allocation aims not only to reduce the transportation costs associated with cargo but also to significantly enhance accessibility to goods for the residents of the island. Such a move, if implemented, is expected to contribute substantially to the overall development and well-being of the region.