Over 6000 Passengers Avail Night Sailing Services to Swaraj Dweep

Port Blair, June 9: The Directorate of Shipping Services has introduced night sailing services to SwarajDweep since April 2019. The night sailing service has become a boon for the commuters, both Islanders as well as the visiting tourists.

The Directorate of Shipping Services was in receipt of consistent demand from the residents as well as PRIs of SwarajDweep to introduce night sailing of speed boat from Port Blair to SwarajDweep and then early morning sailing from SwarajDweep to Port Blair every day. This issue was brought to the notice of the Lt. Governor also during his recent visit to SwarajDweep. Consequently, the A&N Administration directed the Directorate of Shipping Services to explore the feasibility of introducing night sailing immediately.

The Directorate of Shipping Services addressing all the technical as well as administrative issues introduced the night sailing with one of its 100 pax speed vessels from April 27, 2019.

The introduction of night sailing to SwarajDweep has benefitted both Islandes as well as non Islanders/ Tourists at large, and this move is being hailed and appreciated by all, including the PRI members of SwarajDweep. Till date, a total of 2893 passengers have availed the service and similarly 3355 passengers availed the morning sailing from SwarajDweep to Port Blair.

With the introduction of this sailing, the residents of SwarajDweep are not having plenty of time to carry out their works at Port Blair during the day time and then return to SwarajDweep by availing the night sailing without having to stay at Port Blair. Similarly the tourists are also benefitted as with this facility, they need not stay at Port Blair on the days of their arrival and departure.

The timings of the night sailing services are as follows: Departure from Port Blair – 1800 Hrs, Arrival at SwarajDweep – 2015 Hrs. Departure from SwarajDweep – 0500 Hrs and Arrival at Port Blair 0715 Hrs.