Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 August 2025
Traders and residents of Katchal Island have closed their outlets right this moment, August 16, from 6:00 AM to eight:00 PM, to protest the extended absence of direct providers by the vessels Nalanda and Sindhu at Katchal Port. The shutdown highlights a rising scarcity of important commodities affecting day by day life and native companies on the island.
Speaking to Nicobar Times over the telephone, a dealer mentioned, “For more than two months, no direct passenger or cargo services by Nalanda and Sindhu have called at Katchal Port. This prolonged absence has caused a critical shortage of essential goods, including food, medical supplies, and other vital commodities. Traders are struggling to restock their inventories, and residents are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their daily needs.”
The dealer defined that Katchal Island depends closely on direct transport providers as a lifeline for each individuals and commerce. “Without direct sailings, our shops cannot function normally, businesses are suffering financial losses, and the community’s access to essential supplies is severely restricted,” he mentioned.
As a part of their protest, all outlets on the island have been closed for the day to attract consideration to the pressing want for intervention. Traders have submitted a letter to the Special Relief Officer (SRO), Katchal Island, urging fast motion.
The merchants have outlined particular calls for to handle the scenario:
1. Immediate Resumption of Direct Services: Nalanda and Sindhu should resume direct sailings to Katchal Island with out additional delay to revive the stream of important items and cargo.
2. Transparent Scheduling: Authorities ought to present a transparent and constant schedule for vessel visits to Katchal Port, enabling merchants and residents to plan their provides and enterprise operations successfully.
3. Emergency Delivery of Essentials: Until common direct providers are restored, fast preparations must be made for the supply of important commodities, together with meals and medical provides, to alleviate ongoing hardships.
Representatives of the merchants emphasised that the scenario has reached a vital level. “The neighborhood can’t maintain itself with out common direct providers. Immediate motion is critical to forestall additional hardships.
The protest right this moment serves as a reminder of how dependent distant islands like Katchal are on direct maritime providers for survival and day by day functioning. Residents and enterprise homeowners are urging the administration to behave shortly to revive common sailings and supply reduction earlier than the shortages worsen additional.
