Mangalore: Passenger Ship from Lakshadweep Reaches Old Port after Long Wait
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/AF)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Feb 20: After one and half year, a passenger ship from Lakshadweep has come to old port here. ‘Dweep Setu,’ which has a capacity of 150 passengers, reached the city shores on Tuesday February 19. It will continue to be the centre of attention till Thursday February 21 before beginning its journey from here.
Lakshadweep is located at a distance of about 144 nautical miles from here. Though no special permission is needed to travel to Lakshadweep, the ship had stopped its service about one and half year ago. One can travel to Lakshadweep at a cost of Rs 100. Persons who travel frequently between Lakshadweep and Mangalore and those who have business ties with the two places were demanding the recommencement of the ship service. But the demand was not fulfilled for a long time.
As many as 10 islands of Lakshadweep are populated. Except fish and coconut, the residents are forced to purchase all the other goods from outside. At present they are purchasing goods from Mangalore and Cochin.
The ten islands are Kiltan, Chetla, Kadamatta, Amesa, Agathi, Kavaratti, Androth, Kalloni, Pilikoyi and Mithra. These islands are also called ‘golden islands’ for their mesmerizing beauty. No doubt, these islands can be developed in to tourism spots. Therefore, passenger ships are necessary to connect Lakshadweep and other islands, many opine.
Most of the goods are transported to Lakshadweep from the city's old harbor. Owing to silt, movement of cargo ships also becomes tough, some complain.
The ship will reach the city again on Sunday February 24. Mangaloreans who want to visit Lakshadweep should obtain permission from Cochin where the office related to Lakshadweep travel is located. This has proved cumbersome for Mangaloreans. Hence, locals here are demanding the set up of a separate office for this purpose.