Port Blair, May 7: The Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration to increase the number of sailings between Car Nicobar and Port Blair during this vacation period. Specifically, he proposed scheduling the MV Kalighat, MV Sindhu or MV Nalanda to operate thrice a month to ensure that residents have regular and reliable transportation options.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that large number of people including the residents of Car Nicobar and Government Servants posted at Car Nicobar are facing severe hardships due to the unavailability of ships and the significant gap between their schedules for travel between Car Nicobar and Port Blair.

He added that as the summer vacation has commenced, there has been a surge in the number of people wishing to travel between Car Nicobar and Port Blair. However, the current ship schedule poses significant challenges for the residents.

The Member of Parliament pointed out that the last ship scheduled for Car Nicobar was on May 2^nd, and the next scheduled ship is not until May 9^th, which will only reach Car Nicobar via Kamorta on the return journey.

Subsequently, the next scheduled ship after May 9^th is on May 23^rd, reaching Car Nicobar on May 25^th. This significant gap between sailings is causing immense inconvenience and distress to the residents. Due to such delay in ship schedule and unavailability of ships, residents of Car Nicobar are also facing difficulty in getting vegetables and other essential commodities on time, he added.

In light of these challenges, the Member of Parliament requested that the ship services between Car Nicobar and Port Blair be enhanced during this vacation period.