Political parties worried over ship fare hike in islands

Port Blair, Apr 9 (UNI) Opposing the recent hike in ship fares in the islands, Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee today said this would bring about immense problems for the poor in the UT who are the major users of this mode of transportation.

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.

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

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 firstt Class Cabin, it will be Rs 3,560 (for islanders) and Rs 6,320 (for non-islanders), for second 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 first 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 Rs5,030 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 first 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.

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