Port Blair, Feb 25: Due to sudden breakdown of vehicle ferry vessel MV Austin–III providing ferry service between Uttara and Gandhi Ghat has been withdrawn from service for rectification of its defects. Presently only one vehicle Ferry vessel MV Austin – IV is providing service at Kadamtala. All efforts are being made by this Directorate to rectify the defects and restore normalcy. The commuters are requested to plan their journey suitably. Inconvenience caused in this regard is regretted, a communication from Deputy Director (SS said here.

Port Blair, Feb 25: On the occasion of the National Science Day celebrations 2021, the Indira Gandhi National Open University, Regional Centre, Port Blair announces admission to the following science programmes:  Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDAST) Post-Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry (PGDAC); Post-Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development (PGDESD); Post Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics (PGCGI); Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biochemistry (BSCBCH), Anthropology (BSCANH); BSc (General) in Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology ; Diploma in Aquaculture (DAQ); Certificate Programme in Laboratory Techniques (CPLT); Certificate Programme in Teaching of Primary School Mathematics (CTPM); Appreciation Course on Environment (ACE).

Port Blair, Feb 23: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration to resume the ferry service between Saheed Dweep, Swarj Dweep and Rangat and vice versa as it use to exist earlier prior to COVID-19 for the convenience of people residing in these Islands. He informed the Chief Secretary that the residents of Saheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep who intend to go to the villages in Rangat Tehsil are facing great hardships because of transportation problems. Their earning mode on vegetable crops for their livelihood is also being affected. In order to visit these respective places they are forced to visit Port Blair and thereafter take a bus journey, which is not only inconvenient but also extra burden of expenses.

Port Blair, Feb 23: The Department of RD, PRIs and ULBs, Andaman and Nicobar Administration in its continuous efforts towards enhancing sanitation and hygiene in rural areas as part of the revamped Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India has successfully cleared legacy waste in Old Dumping Grounds in Shorepoint, Chouldari and Netaji Nagar which has been lying untreated for decades. These erstwhile dumping grounds was a cause of concern to the general public considering the huge piling up of mixed garbage, its toiling by stray cattles and the nuisance in the form of odour and smoke polluting the environment.

Port Blair, Feb 23: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has envisaged the novel concept of reaching  HSD to the door steps of customers and in line with the same, M/s. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) through its Dealer, M/s. Jadwet Trading Company on 22-02-2021 launched the facility at Port Blair to meet the demand of HSD from its customers, who are using stationary equipment like generator sets, earth moving equipment, heavy machineries used in construction sites, mobile towers, hotels and complexes etc.