Port Blair, March 9: The Harbour ferry service provided by the ferry and vehicle ferry vessels of the Directorate of Shipping Services between Port Blair-Bambooflat and its adjoining areas plays a pivotal role towards transhipment of commuters and their vehicle on daily basis. In order to provide seamless and hassle free services in the above harbour ferry route, the Directorate therefore leaves no stone unturned and initiates various proactive reformative actions time to time, in this sector.

As there is involvement of heavy movement of passengers and vehicles in the above harbour ferry route, the probability of fraudulent traveling or travelling without valid ticket or pass, by few commuters could not be ignored or dismissed either.  To combat the menace of above fraudulent travelling, the Directorate therefore by exercising a robust  mechanism, is now carrying out surprise checking of tickets both  onboard vessels, as well as at the entry and exit points of vessels.  The outcome of the above surprise checking of tickets is so overwhelming, that the Revenue collection in the above Harbour Ferry sector, in the recent has almost doubled.  In addition to checking of tickets, to regulate orderly movement of passengers and vehicles, the Directorate has also deployed additional teams at the Jetties, to coordinate between the vessels and Afloat Communication Centre.  To further ease the free movement of vehicles and commuters, the Directorate is also emphasizing with various line department on building few infrastructure at both the jetties at Chatham and Bambooflat.

The Directorate of Shipping Services is fully committed to provide smooth and regular services in the harbour ferry sector and to achieve the above task on daily basis, all possible efforts are always been made. It is however, equally urged to the daily commuters to not involve in any unethical of illegal practice while travelling and extend their support and cooperation to the staff of this Directorate,  who are deployed on jetties as well as on board vessels, to carry out their routine task.