Port Blair, Jan. 8: The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has chartered 5 ships of different capacities to ply in the inter-island sector. These ships are: ‘Penguin 15’ with a passenger capacity of 220 and a speed of 25 knots, MV Sea Flower, a Trimaran with 423 passenger capacity and speed of 40 knots, MV Shuttle Ace with 300 passenger and 32 LMV carrying capacity, TBN Pearl with 200 passenger capacity and TBN Emerald with capacity to carry 200 passenger, 6 vehicles and 25 tonnes cargo.  

Commenting on the lease of the five ships, the Member of Parliament today said that it is a drain of public money. None of these ships are fit to ply in the islands.

“The Administration will also be paying the cost of bringing the ships from abroad and for sending it back after three years of agreement”, the MP said.

In this regard a Committee was formed in New Delhi with the only representative from the Islands ‘The Director of Shipping Services’. The Administration never thought it appropriate to discuss with the local engineers, masters, pradhans and even the Member of Parliament before deciding on it.

“The IDA Standing Committee Chairman Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia had also insisted that the local MP should be in the committee in the presence of the Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary. It is surprising that could not understand this”, he said.  

The Member of Parliament had in a ‘calling attention motion’ in Lok Sabha had suggested to bring ships like MV Kalighat, Kadamtala and also to construct ramps at Chatham and Bambooflat.

“Who will bear the expenses of another five white elephants when the case of Karmatang and Afra Bay stands as staring examples”, Bishnu said.

“To add to the misery the Andaman Administration is going to lease more sea planes of 5-10 passenger capacity, while the Lt. Governor had promised for planes of 18-20 seating capacity to ply in the inter-islands”, the MP added.