New Delhi, Dec. 5: Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India has assured the CPI (M) MP from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu R. Sachithanantham that his Ministry is committed to improving maritime connectivity for the residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, recognizing that dependable and affordable shipping services are the lifeline of the region. In a letter sent to the CPI (M) MP recently, the Minister of Shipping has stated that presently, Andaman & Nicobar Administration have four vessels for Mainland operations. The Minister has further stated that additionally, A & N Administration is acquiring four 500-passenger inter-island vessels, which may be deployed in the Mainland sector, if necessary. Shri Sonowal has further informed the CPI (M) MP R. Sachithanantham that to enhance inter-island connectivity, particularly in the southern group of islands, A & N Administration has initiated the chartering of two 300-passenger vessels and the acquisition of four 200-ton cargo vessels to improve passenger and cargo movement between the islands.
The Shipping Minister has further informed the CPI (M) MP that considering the present travel patterns wherein air transport has become the preferred mode of travel to mainland, the utilization of vessels in the mainland-island sector has considerably declined, resulting in financial losses to the exchequer.
In tune with the government’s policy of contractorization of regular nature of government job, the Shipping Minister informed the CPI (M) MP that the ongoing practice of deploying contract crew in lieu of roastered crew has also yielded encouraging results, providing enhanced employment opportunities to unemployed youth holding Certificate of Competency (CoC).
The Shipping Minister further informed the CPI (M) MP that to address the constraints affecting cargo movement, the A & N Administration is in the process of acquiring two cargo vessels of 200-container capacity each. This initiative is expected to curb the monopoly of private operators and bring down the cost of essential commodities in the islands.
Earlier on 31.07.2025, R. Sachithanantham, CPI (M) MP (Lok Sabha) from Tamil Nadu along with D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee had met Shri Sarbananda Sonowal at his office at Parliament House, New Delhi and submitted a letter forwarding a memorandum from the CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee. CPI (M) MP has urged the Shipping Minister to proceed with the construction work of two 1200-passengers ships (with a cargo capacity of 1000 MT), orders for which were placed with the Cochin Shipyard by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration a few years back, considering the difficulties being faced by the mainland-bound passengers. CPI (M) leaders told the Shipping Minister that this will create 200 to 300 jobs for the unemployed seamen in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
CPI (M) memorandum further stated that there is a long pending demand of the Nicobarese tribes for more M.V. Sentinel type vessels for the southern group of islands like Car Nicobar, Katchal, etc where large size vessels cannot be berthed due to rough sea condition. CPI (M) MP R. Sachithanantham and D. Ayyappan, A & N State Secretary had urged the Shipping Minister to procure three more M.V. Sentinel-type vessels for service in the southern group of islands. CPI (M) had further urged the Minister of Shipping to procure more inter-island ships of 450/500 capacity to meet the growing demands of the islanders.
CPI (M) leaders had also urged the Minister of Shipping to procure more cargo ships for service between the islands and mainland and for the inter-island sectors.
CPI (M) State Secretary had urged the Shipping Minister to recruit seamen on permanent roaster basis in the ships run by the A & N Administration considering the large number of unemployed seamen in the islands.