**Subject:** Assessment of Passenger Ship Connectivity to Lakshadweep
**Issue:** This document addresses concerns regarding inadequate passenger ship connectivity to and within the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, as raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3256 on August 8, 2025. Specifically, the query focuses on the availability and operational status of passenger ships, potential leasing of additional vessels, and plans for procuring new ships.
**Current Status:** The Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) currently possesses five all-weather passenger ships that operate between the mainland and the islands. Additionally, UTLA owns six high-speed crafts (HSCs) used for inter-island connectivity during fair weather. The operational status of the all-weather ships is subject to scheduled and unscheduled repairs, docking availability at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), certificate renewals, and statutory survey requirements.
**Proposed Solutions:** The UTLA is encouraging private vessel operators to initiate passenger ship services connecting the mainland and islands, as well as facilitating inter-island transportation.
**Future Plans:** Currently, there are no immediate plans under consideration to procure new passenger ships on a permanent basis to meet the needs of the islanders.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, an archipelago of islands off the coast of Kerala.
SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED: Member of Parliament who raised the question about passenger ship connectivity in Lakshadweep.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who provided the answer to the question.
Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration: The administrative body responsible for the governance of the Lakshadweep islands.
AllWeather Passenger Ship: Type of ships used for transport between mainland and Lakshadweep islands.
High Speed Crafts: Type of ships used for inter-island connectivity in Lakshadweep during fair weather.
Cochin Shipyard Limited: Shipyard where the Lakshadweep ships undergo repairs and surveys. Located in Kochi, Kerala.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3256
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
INADEQUATE PASSENGER SHIP CONNECTIVITY
3256. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether the Government is aware of the inadequate passenger ship connectivity
in Lakshadweep, with only five ships available and often just three operational, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether there is any proposal to immediately lease additional ships to improve
inter-island and mainland transport, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government plans to procure new passenger ships on a permanent
basis to meet the needs of the islanders; and
(d) if so, the details and timelines of such procurement plans?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) has informed that it currently
owns five (05) All-Weather Passenger Ship plying between mainland and islands. In
addition, UTLA owns six (06) High Speed Crafts (HSCs) for Inter-Island connectivity
during fair weather season. The afore-mentioned ships/ vessels are operated in a regular
manner on a prefixed schedule. However, the number of ships available in serviceable
condition at any given instance depends upon their scheduled/ unscheduled repairs as
per docking slot availability at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), certificates renewal and
statutory survey requirements.
(b) Private ship/ vessel operators are encouraged by the UT of Lakshadweep
Administration to start passenger ship operations between mainland and Islands and vice
versa as well as Inter-Island movement.
(c) & (d) No such proposal is presently under consideration.
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