Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 30 June 2025
In response to the deteriorating structural condition of the Chatham Bridge and in accordance with Notification No. 9-170/LS/2018/PF-1/3258 dated 27th June 2025 issued by the District Magistrate, South Andaman, the Directorate of Shipping Services has implemented significant changes in ferry operations originating from Chatham. As per the latest directive, only passengers and two-wheelers will be allowed to board vehicle ferries operating on the Chatham–Bambooflat and Chatham–Dundus Point routes. The movement of all three- and four-wheeled vehicles, including government vehicles, from Chatham via ferry services has been strictly prohibited until further notice.
This measure has been taken as a precaution to reduce the load and stress on the Chatham Bridge, which is currently in a distressed state. To ensure that commuters using three- and four-wheelers continue to have access to reliable transportation, the Directorate has announced an alternative arrangement from Phoenix Bay Jetty (Stage – 1), which can be accessed through DSS Gate No. 3.
Additional dedicated vehicle ferry service will now operate from Phoenix Bay to Bambooflat and vice versa. The new schedule includes seven daily departures from Phoenix Bay at 0700 hrs, 0900 hrs, 1100 hrs, 1300 hrs, 1500 hrs, 1700 hrs, and 1900 hrs. On the return route, eight trips from Bambooflat to Phoenix Bay will run at 0600 hrs, 0800 hrs, 1000 hrs, 1200 hrs, 1400 hrs, 1600 hrs, 1800 hrs, and 2000 hrs.
In addition to regular vehicles, critical emergency services such as ambulances, fire tenders, and mortuary vans have been instructed to use the Phoenix Bay vehicle ferry service. This ensures that essential response and medical services remain unaffected despite the logistical shift.
The revised ferry schedule has been put into effect immediately. The Directorate of Shipping Services has urged all commuters to stay informed about the new arrangements and plan their travel accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
