ACCI demands priority for Andaman bound cargo vessels

Port Blair, Nov 06 (UNI) The Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) today urged the centre for giving priority to Andaman-bound cargo vessels so that these can move faster and the materials movement for the tsunami rehabilitation work does not suffer.

In a letter addressed to Shipping Minister T R Balu, ACCI President Mohamed H Jadwet said substantial movement of cargo was going on into the Andaman and Nicobar islands due to the ongoing tsunami rehabilitation work.

''However, for the last 2-3 months we find that Andaman bound vessels are being delayed at Chennai, Vizag and Tuticorin due to non-availability of berths,'' Mr Jadwet told UNI.

At present Andaman and Nicobar administration is carrying out massive rehabilitation works for nearly 42,000 tsunami victims and the entire tsunami hit islands.

As the islands are located nearly 1200 km away from the mainland of India, all materials for rehabilitation are being imported through sea lane.

UNI