The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to acquire two 500 passenger-cum-150 tonne cargo vessels for inter-island sector for the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
It involves a cost of Rs 391.34 crore.
inter-island shipping services
The vessels will be used to provide inter-island shipping services to meet the increased passenger traffic requirement of people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
de-commissioning of ships
The islands are spread over 700 km and inter-island sector consist of ships originating from Port Blair to far flung Southern group of islands terminating at Campbell Bay Island. Out of four vessels for inter-island sector, two vessels, namely
Another vessel m.v. Dering built in 1992 is also due for de-commissioning, stated an official release.
With the decommissioning of these vessels which are running in their extended life span, the capacity will be reduced substantially.
To maintain the present level of service, these two vessels are being acquired.