Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 October 2025
The Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, flagged off the passenger vessel Sindhu from Haddo Wharf on a special cruise to Barren Island — India’s only active volcano — at around 8.50 pm on 24th October 2025. Senior officers of the Administration were present at the brief yet spirited flag-off ceremony.
The vessel set sail with its full capacity of 439 passengers, including 125 government school students from various parts of the Islands, embarking on a rare and eagerly awaited journey.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kumar expressed his delight at the successful launch of the Barren Island cruise, emphasizing the Administration’s meticulous planning in making the experience possible. “Passengers will have a fascinating and mesmerizing experience witnessing this unique natural phenomenon,” he remarked.
The Chief Secretary further announced that two trips to Barren Island will be operated every month, opening up a new avenue for tourists and significantly enhancing the Islands’ tourism potential.
Highlighting the educational value of the initiative, Dr. Kumar shared that 125 government school students have been given the opportunity to visit Barren Island free of cost. “Such experiences will contribute to the students’ overall development and help them grow into responsible citizens,” he said.
He also underlined the vast potential of cruise tourism in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, adding that the Administration is actively encouraging private entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in this emerging sector.
The exclusive voyage, organized by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) under the aegis of the A&N Administration, promises islanders and visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience — to witness one of nature’s most spectacular wonders amid the breathtaking waters of the Andaman Sea.
