Lakshadweep islanders face undue hardships as the ship lands in the repair yard

 Kochi:  The islanders who depend on the mainland of Kochi for almost all their needs, are in a difficult situation as the repair works of m.v. Tipu Sultan in not yet completed. It was taken off from the service in September to address some urgent repair works, which is being carried out at Kochi shipyard.

A delegation of people’s representatives from Lakshadweep has conveyed their anxiety to the concerned authorities that the transportation to Lakshadweep would be seriously hampered during the upcoming monsoon if the ship was not delivered without further delay.

The ship, m .v Tipu Sultan, which plies between Kochi and Lakshadweep, is one of the only two ships that ferry the passengers from the island to the mainland and vice versa. This 658-seat ship operates with the other ship in operation m.v. Bharat Seema. The ships undertake five voyages a month covering five to six islands each time. The shortage of ships might set off an unprecedented rush of passengers with the onset of the monsoon season, the island administration has decided to extend the school reopening by a fortnight.

The shipyard authorities assured that the ship would roll out of its repair yard by May 15, which should bring back the smiles on the islanders.
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