Port Blair, Mar 03: The Local Born Association has registered strong objection on the move of Andaman and Nicobar Administration to decommission MV Nancowry & MV Nicobar vessels.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India, the General Secretary of LBA, Mr. M Liyakat Ali urged the Prime Minister to look into the matter personally and direct the concerned authorities to withdraw the proposal of the de-commissioning the ships MV Nancowry & MV Nicobar and allow both vessels to remain in service.

“In case the above ships are de-commissioned then the ships MV Atal & MV Ashoka may be allowed to induct for the services of these Islands as promised to the general public, in the larger interest of the Islanders,” Mr. Ali demanded in his letter.

The letter was sent in response of the news items published in the Government run newspaper and also in other local newspapers that the vessels MV Nancowry and MV Nicobar will be de-Commissioned soon.

Mr. Liyakat Ali further pointed out that said vessels plying between Mainland- Island is the life line of the Islanders and the people interested to travel on the said ship are fully dependent because of the lower fare in compare to flight services.

“The business men are fully dependent on the said ships for transporting their cargo from mainland-Islands. But the Administration felt that the services of the said vessel is incurring loss, because the mainland-Islands airline service extended for the speedy and easy services rendered to the Islanders and less supply of cargo items,” he added.

Mr. Liyakat Ali also pointed out in detail about the basic reasons for such loss. He mentioned that date & time schedule of the ship (depart- arrival) is not published/announced well in advance whereas the same used to be published for three month in advance earlier i.e, around five years back.

Due to this the General Public and tourists are unable to plan their journey well in advance. Also the businessmen/Traders are unable to plan their Cargo movement.

He also pointed out about delay in loading & un-loading of cargo at the jetty and also about delay for departure of the ship due to mismanagement by the management.

“It appears that there was a proposal that two new ship namely HOKA & MV ATAL was inducting and utilize for the service for these
Islands after construction, but it has reported that the said been cancelled by the authority and the said ship will be It has reported that the said proposal has Indian Navy,whereas your Excellency already announce authority and the said ship will be handed over to your past visit to these Islands,” Mr. Ali added in his letter.

He wrote that the General public living in different Islands like Campbell Bay, Chowra, Terrasa, Nicobar, Little Andaman, Shaheed & Swaraj Dweep, Baratang, Long Island, Rangat. Mayabunder & Diglipur are always facing problems to travel in time due to acute shortage of island vessel services and if the said vessels are de-commissioned then it will be a big problem and will be difficult for the General public, residing in different Islands.