Port Blair, Dec. 13: Shri Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP and Former State President BJP-ANI has addressed a letter to the Chief Secretary A & N Administration, highlighting a matter of significant importance concerning devotees participating in the annual Ayyappa Swami Puja at Sabarimala, Kerala.
The festival, which began on 17th November 2023, is scheduled to conclude on 14th January 2024. As the festival is nearing, the need for affordable and accessible transportation for devotees from Port Blair to Chennai becomes crucial.
In his letter, Shri Jolly expressed concern about the financial constraints faced by the middle- and lower-class devotees, to earmark and fix a shipping sailing schedule of either M. V Sindhu or M.V Nalanda exclusively for this purpose, on or around 5th January 2024. This initiative aims to benefit devotees by providing a low-cost alternative to the soaring airfare rates during this festive period.
Jolly emphasized that annually, approximately 300 to 400 devotees undertake the pilgrimage from Andaman & Nicobar Islands to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The proposed vessels would offer a cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation, enabling the devotees to fulfil their religious obligations without the burden of exorbitant travel expenses.
In consideration of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, he requested the Chief Secretary to consider a voyage schedule for either MV Nalanda or MV Sindhu in the larger interest of Sabarimala devotees.