Port Blair, Jan 19: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Shipping), A&N Administration to resume the sailing programmes of ships for Visakhapatnam sector since there is a huge population of residents in A&N Islands from Andhrapradesh and Telengana State waiting to travel to their place of origin which owing to COVID-19 pandemic had been to be suspended.

Sharma explained that the population of Telugu community is facing huge financial hardship due to suspension of ships to Visakhapatnam since April 2020. Many are unable to visit their native places or go for medical treatment etc. In order to provide relief to the Telugu community Sharma requested the Administration to arrange for one or more sailing programmes from Port Blair to Visakhapatnam.