Port Blair, Dec. 28: Shri Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP has written a letter to Chief Secretary, A&N Administration on issues pertaining to extremely poor shipping services which are seriously affecting the lives of people belonging to Southern groups of Islands, especially Katchal, Teressa, Chowra & Nancowry group of Islands.

Mentioning his recently concluded tour to Nicobar District, Jolly reported in his letter that two vessels/boats namely M. V. Galathiya and M. V. Barren, which were used for voyages/passenger sailings in the Nancowry group of Islands are out service due to its poor & pathetic conditions and therefore there is neither any vehicle ferry nor any ferry boat available for Nancowry groups of Islands.

It was further reported that the newly build vessels namely M. V. Nalanda and M. V. Sindhu are not berthing at Katchal Jetty although all the facilities are available for a smooth berthing at Katchal Jetty.

It was also pointed out that good vessels are not used for providing services at southern group of Islands & sailings of ships are usually irregular in these Islands.

It was further highlighted that the tribal people residing at Nicobar group of Islands culturally and traditionally requires to transport cattle from one Island to another and there are presently no ships/boats available through which the same could be transported.

Accordingly, he demanded that at least one Ferry and one Vehicle Ferry Boat be provided on urgent basis for Nancowry Group of Islands and good condition vessels namely M. V. Nalanda and M. V. Sindhu be instructed to berth at Katchal Jetty at the earliest.

Further he demanded that the sailings of vessels namely M. V. Nalanda and M. V. Sindhu in all ports from Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Chowra, Terrasa, Katchal and Kamorta Islands be compulsorily scheduled on regular basis, at least thrice in each & every month, round the year.

Also demanded that either new vessels be purchased or the available old vessels be modified & renovated in such a manner that it becomes fit & capable to carry & transport cattle.

Speed boats compulsorily schedule every alternative days between Kamorta and Katchal also added his letter.

Concluding in his letter he requested the Chief Secretary A & N Administration to sort out these issues at the earliest, in the interest of welfare of people belonging to these Islands.