Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 04 June 2023
In a surprising turn of events, passengers traveling between Port Blair and Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have raised serious concerns about irregularities and potential corruption within the Shipping Department. The controversy revolves around a sudden change in the scheduled vessel and the failure to refund the fare difference to affected passengers.
Initially, the Shipping Department had planned for the vessel Nalanda to embark on its journey from Port Blair to Campbell Bay via Nancowry on June 5, 2023, with the return sailing scheduled for June 7, 2023. However, a Press Release issued on June 2, 2023, announced a last-minute substitution, stating that the M.V Campbell Bay would sail instead of Nalanda on June 5, 2023.
Passengers who had purchased tickets for the Nalanda were instructed to utilize their tickets for the M.V Campbell Bay instead. Surprisingly, despite the vessel change, the Directorate of Shipping Services continued to issue tickets for the Nalanda on June 3, 2023, rather than the designated M.V Campbell Bay.
The price disparity between the two vessels is substantial. For example, a Deluxe Class Ticket for an Islander traveling between Port Blair and Campbell Bay on the Nalanda costs Rs. 3100, while the same journey on the M.V Campbell Bay is priced at only Rs. 1845, resulting in a fare difference of Rs. 1255. Non-Islanders face a similar discrepancy, with the Deluxe Class Ticket costing Rs. 5380 on the Nalanda, but only Rs. 3200 on the M.V Campbell Bay, amounting to a fare difference of Rs. 2180.
Likewise, a Bunk Class Ticket for an Islander traveling between Port Blair and Campbell Bay on the Nalanda is priced at Rs. 1240, while the M.V Campbell Bay offers the same journey for just Rs. 610, leading to a fare difference of Rs. 610. Non-Islanders paying for the Bunk Class Ticket face a fare difference of Rs. 1290, with the Nalanda ticket priced at Rs. 3720 compared to the M.V Campbell Bay ticket priced at Rs. 2430.
The price disparity is evident in all classes of travel offered in the two vessels.
These discrepancies have raised concerns among passengers who question why the fare difference has not been returned to them. Many speculate that someone within the Shipping Department may be deliberately embezzling the rightful fare difference owed to passengers, suggesting possible corruption within the department.
As the issue gains traction, passengers are demanding answers from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and calling for a thorough investigation into the irregularities and allegations of corruption within the Shipping Department.