**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1003, answered on July 25, 2025, by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, addresses the potential reintroduction of passenger vessel services from Beypore to Lakshadweep. The question, posed by Shri M K Raghavan, inquired about government plans to restart passenger ship services to boost the economy and tourism, citing a Port Officer's report indicating sufficient port depth.
The Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, responded that the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) currently has no plans to operate passenger vessels between Lakshadweep and Beypore. UTLA prioritizes cargo operations at Beypore port and predominantly operates passenger services to Kochi from the islands. Therefore, the question regarding delays in reintroducing passenger services from Beypore to Lakshadweep is not applicable.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Shri M K RAGHAVAN: Member of Parliament who asked the question regarding passenger vessel services.
Beypore: A port in Kerala, India, that is the origin point for the proposed passenger vessel service to Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, an archipelago in the Laccadive Sea, the destination for the proposed passenger vessel service.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA): The administrative body responsible for the governance of the Lakshadweep Islands.
Kochi: A major port city in Kerala, India, and the primary location for passenger operations to and from the Lakshadweep islands.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1003
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
PASSENGER VESSEL SERVICES FROM BEYPORE TO LAKSHADWEEP
1003. Shri M K RAGHAVAN:
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 plans to reintroduce passenger ship services from
Beypore to Lakshadweep for boosting economy and tourism in view of the Port Officer’s
report indicating that the port has sufficient depth for restarting such services; and
(b) if so, the details thereof including reasons for delay in reintroduction of passenger
service?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) The Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA) has informed that since
Beypore port is primarily used for cargo operations for the UT of Lakshadweep while
passenger operations from the islands is predominantly to Kochi, UTLA, as of now, does
not have any plan to operate passenger vessels between the islands and Beypore.
(b) Does not arise in view of answer to (a) above.
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