Lok Sabha Question No. 5594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Severe Transportation crisis in Lakshadweep
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5594

ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## SEVERE TRANSPORTATION CRISIS IN LAKSHADWEEP

5594. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  severe  transportation  crisis  faced  by  the residents of Lakshadweep due to the limited availability of passenger ship services, with only one  operational  ship  currently  serving  the  islands,  while  four  others  M.V.  Kavaratti,  M.V. Corals, M.V. Lakshadweep Sea and M.V. Arabian Sea-are under repair or maintenance;
- (b) if  so,  the  current  status  of  these  four  ships,  including  the  expected  timeline  for  their repair, maintenance and return to operational service;
- (c) the  steps taken  by  the  Government  to expedite  the  repair  and  maintenance  of these ships to restore normalcy and ensure uninterrupted connectivity between Lakshadweep and the mainland; and
- (d) the  measures  being  implemented  to  address  the  immediate  distress  caused  to thousands of stranded commuters, including delays in the supply of essential goods, medical aid, and educational materials, as well as the adverse impact on the economic activities of the islands?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) The Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) owns and operates 05 all weather  passengers  ships  and  06  High  Speed  Crafts  (HSC)  fair  weather  vessels.      Out  of these ships,  01  all  weather  ship and  06  HSC are  in  service  which  are  presently  utilized  for Islands to Mainland and Inter-Island transportation.   UTLA has entered into a Quadripartite Agreement with Cochin Port Authority (CoPA), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Lakshadweep Development Corporation Limited (LDCL) under which CSL is responsible for repair and maintenance of the UTLA vessels.

(b) The  final  survey  of  M.V.  Kavaratti  has  been  completed  on  24.03.2025.    This  ship  is expected to be back in service by mid of April, 2025.  The Radio survey of M. V. Coral has been completed and the ship is expected to be in service on 10 th of  April,  2025.  The M. V. Arabian Sea was docked on 27 th March, 2025 for repair which is expected to be completed within 65 days.   M. V. Lakshadweep Sea has finished sea trials on 08.03.2025.  The ship is expected to be back in service by mid April, 2025.

(c) The purpose of the quadripartite agreement between UTLA, CoPA, CSL and LDCL is to ensure timely repair and maintenance of ships.

(d) The scheduling of the serviceable ships is closely carried out in such a manner that the schedule meets the requirements of Islanders.   Further, UTLA is taking regular reviews with CSL  to  ensure  that  the  ships  in  repairs  are  back  in  service  as  per  the  above  mentioned timelines.

*****