Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 26: The Directorate of Shipping Services, under the directions of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, has been operating round-voyage cruises from Sri Vijaya Puram to Barren Island since October 2025. The service was initiated to promote tourism and to offer passengers a unique opportunity to view Barren Island, the only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent.
The passenger vessels MV Sindhu and MV Nalanda have jointly undertaken four round voyages to Barren Island on 24th October, 14th November, 28th November, and 12th December 2025, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to 1,557 travellers, including around 475 Government School students from Sri Vijaya Puram and students from North & Middle Andaman, who greatly benefited from the educational exposure and first-hand experience of marine and geological heritage.
In addition to the forthcoming sailing of MV Nalanda on 26th December, 2025, as well as the already promulgated sailings on 9th and 23rd January 2026, the Directorate of Shipping Services has also announced the scheduling of MV Swaraj Dweep for a special voyage to Barren Island on 31st December, 2025, on the eve of the New Year.
Further, to facilitate Government School students and residents of the Southern Group of Islands (Car Nicobar to Campbell Bay) to witness the only active volcano at Barren Island and to celebrate New Year’s Eve on board MV Swaraj Dweep on 31st December, 2025, the Directorate has arranged a special sailing programme of MV Nalanda.
Passenger tickets for the above sailing will be issued from 27.12.2025 (Saturday) onwards. Tickets can be booked through the DSS e-Ticketing Portal at https://dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing, which is available 24×7 on all days. For user convenience, a QR code linking directly to the portal has also been provided.
Tickets can also be booked from the STARS Ticketing Counter on all working days from 9 AM to 4 PM.