Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 14 October 2025
Passengers traveling across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and between the Islands and the mainland can now book ship tickets round the clock, thanks to the upgraded STARS e-Ticketing System of the Directorate of Shipping Services. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, inaugurated the 24×7 online ship ticket reservation facility on 14th October 2025 at a brief function held in the Conference Hall of the Secretariat. The launch was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Shipping) Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, Secretary (Shipping) Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, and Director of Shipping Services, Cdr. Vijay Kumar.
Earlier, online bookings were limited to 9 AM to 4 PM, in line with the operational hours of STARS ticketing counters. With the new 24×7 facility, passengers can reserve tickets at any time, from the comfort of their homes or offices, without any time restrictions.
The service is accessible through the Directorate’s official portal at https://dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing, where users can check ship schedules, fare details, and route information.
This enhancement aligns with the Government’s Digital India mission, reflecting the Directorate’s commitment to efficient, citizen-friendly, and technology-driven services. The move is expected to reduce reliance on physical ticket counters and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
The project was implemented by the CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) team, led by Senior Project Engineer Ms. V.K. Nazeera Siddique.
The Directorate of Shipping Services continues to focus on providing safe, reliable, and convenient maritime transport for both residents and visitors of the A&N Islands.
