(a) whether the Government has received any proposal from the Lakshadweep Administration to augment the fleet of ships and speed boats so as to improve the connectivity amongst various Islands;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;
(c) the existing number of ships and speed boats operating in these Islands; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve connectivity amongst various Islands to Lakshadweep?
MINISTER OF SHIPPING
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a)to(d) : A statement is laid on the table of the House
Lok Sabha Starred Question No.52 raised by Shri Mohammed Faizal, MP (Lok Sabha) to be answered on for answer on 23.07.2015 regarding “Marine Connectivity in Lakshadweep”
(a)to(c): No, Madam. No proposal has been received from Lakshadweep Administration for further augmenting the fleet of ships and speed boats. The present shipping fleet of Lakshadweep consists of seven passenger ships, ten high speed crafts, four cargo ships, two oil barges, one LPG cylinder carrier and two bollard pull tugs.
Lakshadweep Administration has informed that the existing fleet of cargo and passenger vessels are adequate to meet the present requirement of transportation of passenger and cargo in the mainland-island and inter-island sector of Lakshadweep.
(e)Lakshadweep Administration has informed that the voyage schedule of ships is drawn every year for the fair weather period (October to May) and the monsoon period (June to September) based on the suggestions from general public and the recommendation of Transport Committee comprising of the Member of Parliament of Lakshadweep and other public representatives, To improve the inter-island connectivity during monsoon weather, the Lakshadweep Administration operates weekly helicopter service between Kavaratti and other islands.
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