The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued an urgent appeal to the Union Government and the Andaman and Nicobar administration, demanding the immediate deployment of container-carrying passenger ships to Katchal Island in the Nicobar district. The demand comes in response to a growing scarcity of essential commodities, including food, medicine, and fuel, which has severely impacted the island’s residents.
In a statement released by the CPI (M)’s Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee, the party highlighted the logistical challenges faced by remote islands like Katchal, which rely heavily on maritime transport for basic supplies. The party criticized the delay in dispatching vessels and called for a permanent solution to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and supply chains for the region.
The CPI (M) emphasized that the situation has worsened due to irregular shipping schedules and inadequate infrastructure, leaving islanders vulnerable to shortages. It urged the administration to prioritize the deployment of container-equipped passenger ships that can carry both cargo and people, thereby addressing dual needs efficiently.
The party also called for a review of the current shipping policy and recommended the inclusion of Katchal in regular maritime routes under the government’s Sagarmala programme. It stressed that the strategic and humanitarian importance of the Nicobar Islands must not be overlooked in national planning.
Local residents and civil society groups have echoed the CPI (M)’s concerns, warning that continued delays could lead to a full-blown crisis. The party has requested immediate intervention from the Ministry of Shipping and the Shipping Corporation of India to restore normalcy.
