Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has assured CPI(M) MP from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, R. Sachithanantham that the Centre remains committed to strengthening maritime connectivity for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, acknowledging that dependable and affordable sea transport continues to be the region’s lifeline.
In a recent letter to the MP, the Minister outlined the existing and upcoming measures being pursued by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to enhance both mainland and inter-island connectivity. He stated that the Administration currently operates four vessels on the mainland sector and is in the process of acquiring four new 500-passenger inter-island vessels, which may be diverted to mainland operations if necessary.
To bolster connectivity within the southern island group, Sonowal said the Administration has initiated the chartering of two 300-passenger vessels and is acquiring four 200-tonne cargo vessels to improve passenger and cargo movement.
The Minister also highlighted a drop in utilisation of vessels on the mainland–island route due to air travel emerging as the preferred mode of transport, leading to financial losses. He further noted that deploying contract crew in place of rostered crew had produced encouraging results and created opportunities for unemployed Certificate of Competency (CoC) holders.
Addressing cargo-related challenges, Sonowal informed the CPI(M) MP that two cargo vessels with a capacity of 200 containers each are being acquired. The move is expected to reduce dependence on private operators and lower the cost of essential commodities in the islands.
The assurances follow a meeting on 31 July 2025, when MP R. Sachithanantham and CPI(M) A&N State Secretary D. Ayyappan met the Minister at Parliament House to submit a memorandum seeking urgent interventions. The CPI(M) urged the government to expedite the construction of two long-pending 1,200-passenger ships with 1,000 MT cargo capacity at Cochin Shipyard, emphasising the hardships faced by passengers and the potential to create 200–300 jobs for local seafarers.
The party also reiterated long-standing demands of the Nicobarese tribes for more M.V. Sentinel-type vessels suited for the rough sea conditions of islands such as Car Nicobar and Katchal, and requested procurement of three such vessels. Additional inter-island ships of 450–500 passenger capacity and more cargo vessels for both mainland and inter-island services were also sought.
CPI(M) leaders further pressed for recruitment of seamen on a permanent roster basis, citing high unemployment among trained seafarers in the islands.
