Line Boat service is an essential service and the only service which provides connectivity between Islands: CS

Details

Chief Secretary directs DSS to Resume Line Boat Services from 25th Feb

Port Blair, Feb. 23: The Andaman & Nicobar Administration is persistently receiving demands from the residents of Middle Andaman, Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, to restore the services of Line Boat services to Rangat from Port Blair as per pre COVID time. Earlier, the Directorate of Shipping Service use to deploy its speed vessels regularly to Rangat via connecting nearby intervening Island, however, from last one year due to resurgence of COVID situation in these Islands, this service has been suspended.

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Jitendra Narain after due examination of the above demand, especially considering the fact that the Line Boat service is an essential service and the only service which provides connectivity between Islands like Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Long Island with Rangat, has directed the Directorate of Shipping Services to resume the Line Boat services immediately, with strict adherence to COVID protocol.

Accordingly, the Directorate of Shipping Services has decided to restore the Line boat services weekly twice as per the following schedule:

  1. Speed Boat : 75/100 Capacity – Monday 0700 Hrs (Port Blair to Rangat via Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Strait Island and Long Island).
  2. Speed Boat: 75/100 Capacity – Tuesday 0700 Hrs (Rangat to Port Blair via Long Island, Strait Island, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep).
  3. Speed Boat: 75/100 Capacity – Friday 0700 Hrs (Port Blair to Rangat via Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Strait Island and Long Island).
  4. Speed Boat: 75/100 Capacity – Saturday 0700 Hrs (Rangat to Port Blair via Long Island, Strait Island, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep).

The above schedule will be implemented with effect from 25th February, 2022 and shall be reviewed every fortnightly, for suitable amendments, if any required.