Port Blair, April 18: The Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration to use Pongi Balu Jetty at Manjeeri as an alternative route for operating Inter Island vessels between South Andaman and Little Andaman and to operate daily ferry vessels from Pongi Balu Jetty to Hut Bay. 

During a recent meeting with the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that operating ferry services between Pongi Balu Jetty and Hut Bay will be highly beneficial for the Islands and Islanders in many ways.

Firstly, the journey between Pongi Balu Jetty and Hut Bay will take approximately 4 hours by ferry whereas from Port Blair to Hut Bay consumes 7 hours and hence this will save fuel, operational expenses and revenue of Administration.

Secondly, it will save time and efforts of passengers to reach Port Blair from Hut Bay and vice versa.

Thirdly, as the journey time will reduce to only four hours, passengers can return back to Port Blair on the same day and hence the Island can become an excellent tourist destination. Little Andaman already has many tourist spots like amazing waterfall, untouched beaches, palm plantations etc. As we all know Tourism will transform the economy of Little Andaman.

Fourthly, this will promote tourism in Manjeri, Guptapara belt and generate many employment opportunities for people of the region.

Lastly, a daily ferry between Pongi Balu Jetty and Hut Bay will also help farmers of Little Andaman to send vegetables to Port Blair, which will certainly reduce the cost of vegetables at Port Blair.