Touring in Andaman becomes costly as Island revises ship fares

Port Blair, Apr 09 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has revised the passenger fares of vessels plying in mainland-island sector for various classes of accommodation.

The revised fares will come into effect from May 1.

However political parties have expressed their resentment over the matter and alleged that the decision was taken prior to any discussion with the public.

''After improvement in air connectivity, mostly the poor classes and petty businessmen travel by ship and this hike would pose immense problem for the islanders,'' K.Ganeshan, Chief Spokesperson of Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee told UNI today.

The fares for Deluxe class of accommodation in MV Swaraj Dweep, Nancowry and Nicobar will be Rs 3,940 (For islanders) while it will be Rs 7,640 (for non-islanders).

For 1st Class Cabin, it will be Rs 3,560 (for islanders) and Rs 6320 (for non-islanders), for 2nd Class Cabin it will be Rs 2,680 (for islanders) and Rs 5,030(for non-islanders), and for Bunk Class Rs 710 (for islanders) and Rs 1,960(for non-islanders).

Similarly, the rate of tickets for Deluxe Class in MV Harshavardhan will be Rs 3940 (for islanders) and Rs 7,640 (for non - islanders). The 1st Class Cabin ticket for islanders will cost Rs 3,560, while it will be Rs 6,320 for the non-islanders. The second Class "A" Cabin tickets for islanders will be Rs 2,680 and Rs 5,030 for non-islnders, while for 2nd Class "B" Cabin it will be Rs 2,350 (for islanders) and Rs 3,890 (for non-islnader). The Bunk Class fare will be Rs 710 (for islanders) and Rs 1,960(for non-islanders).

The fare for Deluxe Class in MV Akbar will be Rs 3940 (for islanders) and Rs 7640 (for non-islanders). The passenger traveling in 1st Class Cabin will have to pay Rs 3430(for islanders) and Rs 5,440(for non-islanders).

The rate for AC Dormitory will be Rs 1790 (for-islanders) and Rs 3,290 (for non-islanders). The Bunk Class passengers need to pay Rs 660 (for islanders) and Rs 1,700 (for non-islanders) respectively.

UNI SKR LL AB 1322