New jetty completed at Minicoy

Kochi: The long dream of Lakshadweep islanders for a safe mode of embarkation from the ship has become a reality when the vessel m.v. Bharat Seema successfully berthed at the newly constructed jetty at Minicoy.

This is the first time in the history of Lakshadweep islands, passengers are disembarking and embarking from the ship directly to the jetty and the shore, a press release issued here said.

Earlier, passengers had to get into boats which would take them to the shore from the ships anchored at the outer sea.

The berth was constructed by the Lakshadweep Administration at the eastern side jetty of the Minicoy Islands at an estimated cost of Rs19 crore.

The jetty was constructed by Shyla Constructions, Bangalore.

The ship with a length of 86.52 metres had made its maiden berthing at the jetty without the help of tug and the shore gang.

The ship was carrying 223 passengers and about 35 tonnes of cargo to Minicoy.

The vessel was berthed at 9 a.m. in the morning and cleared the passengers and cargo within one hour.

Usually it takes a whole day to manage the same situation by engaging man power and services of 10 mechanised boats.