Port Blair, Oct. 25: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration to resume the daily direct ferry services for Shaheed Dweep in the morning hours.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that before the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, the Directorate of Shipping Services used to operate a daily direct ferry to Shaheed Dweep at 6.30 AM, which used to return back to Port Blair at 9.00 AM from Shaheed Dweep. This direct ferry was extremely useful for the general public as well as vegetable producers and farmer and milk producers of Shaheed Dweep.

He mentioned that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ferry was withdrawn and at present only one government ferry is scheduled to Shaheed Dweep that too via Swaraj Dweep.

The MP mentioned that according to residents of Shaheed Dweep, the ferry reaches Shaheed Dweep in the afternoon hours and by that time all vegetable cargo and milk consignments loses its worth. As per villagers of Shaheed Dweep they have been suffering heavy loss due to withdrawal of morning ferry, which is the best time for them to load vegetables and milk consignments for Port Blair.

Considering the problems and losses being faced by the resident of Shaheed Dweep, the Member of Parliament requested the Chief Secretary to resume daily-morning direct ferry for Shaheed Dweep.