Far-flung Andaman Islands wait for lifelines

Port Blair, Jul 9 (UNI) The far-flung islands of Andaman and Nicobar were badly waiting for new vessels, actually the lifeline of these remote 572 scattered islands, separated by the sea.

Official sources here today said a number of new vessels of different categories, being built in the mainland dockyards, were nearing completion and expected to join the shipping fleet of Andaman and Nicobar administration.

A 500-passenger capacity vessel was now under construction at ABG shipyard.

Surat(Gujrat) was one among such vessels, likely to be delivered to the Director of Shipping Services next month, sorces added.

Once received, this vessel would be pressed into service of the Southern Group of Islands strengthening the shipping service network in the remote Islands, Additional Director of Shipping Services A K Malhotra told media persons here today.

Besides this, two 100 passengers capacity vessels were under construction with MS Shalimar Works Limited, Kolkata, he informed.

According to sources, the basin trial of one of the vessels MV Rani Lakshmi had already been done and it was ready for delivery and awaiting registration, survey formalities and clearance from the DG and DG, Shipping.

The construction work for the second vessel named as MV Changa was also in the final stage of completion and the vessel was expected to join the DSS fleet by August or September, the Additional Director added.

Recently, two newly built vehicles ferry vessels christened as MV Lapathy and MV North Bay(MS Class) had joined the shipping fleet of Andaman and Nicobar Administration.

The vessels play crucial role in connecting all the 36 inhabited islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

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