Vasavan seeks resumption of passenger ship service between Beypore and Lakshadweep

Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan has requested the Ministry of Shipping to restart the passenger ship service between Lakshadweep and Beypore port.

In a letter to Union Minister for Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal, Mr. Vasavan said such a service had significant potential to enhance trade and commerce between Lakshadweep and Beypore that had a significant historical connection. He pointed out that there were three passenger ships between the two ports during 2005-2015 (Deep Sethu, Amin Divi and Minicoy) that were later taken to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, after which only a few high-speed craft operated in the sector.

He said that the passenger vessels with a capacity of 150 were discontinued abruptly in May 2022 citing a lack of draft and baggage scanner. However, he claimed that the reasons were unjustifiable as the Beypore port had a draft of 3.5 metres and hosted several cargo ships with higher draft than the passenger vessels regularly.

Mr. Vasavan claimed that reinstating the passenger ship service would not only facilitate the movement of people but also provide a cost-effective and efficient means for the transportation of goods, thus stimulating economic activity, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the overall development of the region.