Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 11: Gaps in security screening infrastructure at several inter-island jetties in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are raising concerns over the effectiveness of checks on passengers, baggage and cargo, particularly in the context of the growing need to prevent the movement of narcotics through the territory’s extensive sea network.
Jetties serving islands including Kamorta, Hut Bay, Havelock and Neil Island form an important part of the inter-island transportation system, connecting residents, workers, tourists and essential supplies with Sri Vijaya Puram and other islands. However, the availability and adequacy of modern security screening facilities at remote jetties remain an area that requires attention.
At some locations, security checks are understood to rely substantially on manual inspection and random checking. While physical verification and the presence of security personnel remain essential, the absence of appropriate screening equipment can create limitations in detecting concealed or prohibited materials, particularly when passenger and cargo movement is high.
The concern becomes more significant in view of the Islands’ continuing battle against narcotics. Law enforcement agencies have been intensifying efforts to detect and prevent the trafficking and possession of illegal drugs, with seizures and enforcement action periodically highlighting the challenges associated with the movement of narcotic substances into and within the territory.
The geography of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands adds another layer to the issue. Unlike a conventional road network, the Islands depend heavily on sea transportation, with vessels connecting widely dispersed islands and settlements. This means that jetties effectively serve as important gateways through which large volumes of people and goods move.
Where systematic screening is limited, the possibility of prohibited substances being concealed among personal belongings, parcels or other cargo cannot be entirely ruled out. This does not imply that illegal activity is taking place at any particular jetty, but highlights a potential vulnerability that needs to be addressed through stronger preventive measures.
The issue also needs to be viewed beyond passenger security alone. Inter-island vessels carry a combination of passengers, luggage, commercial consignments, food supplies and other essential goods. Ensuring that appropriate screening protocols are followed for different categories of movement can make it more difficult for illicit substances to be transported unnoticed.
Modern screening systems, wherever operationally feasible, could supplement existing manual checks and provide security personnel with additional tools to identify suspicious baggage or consignments. Such equipment, however, would need to be supported by adequate manpower, regular maintenance, trained personnel and clear operating procedures.
A uniform security framework across important jetties could also help reduce disparities in the level of checking between different islands. While the scale of passenger movement may vary considerably from one location to another, remote jetties cannot be overlooked simply because they handle smaller volumes of traffic.
The concern is particularly relevant for islands such as Havelock and Neil Island, which see significant movement of tourists and residents, as well as Hut Bay, an important connection for Little Andaman. Remote locations such as Kamorta also remain dependent on sea links for essential transportation and connectivity.
Effective security screening, therefore, has to balance the requirements of security with the practical realities of inter-island travel. Excessively cumbersome procedures could inconvenience passengers and disrupt the movement of essential supplies, while inadequate checking could leave gaps that may be exploited by those attempting to move prohibited substances.
The narcotics angle makes preventive screening especially important. Drug trafficking networks often exploit transportation channels and logistical vulnerabilities, making checks at points of movement an important part of the enforcement chain. Strengthening screening at jetties can complement intelligence-based operations, surveillance and investigations already being undertaken by enforcement agencies.
There is also a need for regular assessment of security arrangements at inter-island jetties to identify locations where additional equipment, personnel or procedural improvements may be required. Periodic reviews could help authorities respond to changing patterns of passenger and cargo movement as well as emerging security risks.
For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the sea is effectively the highway connecting communities, jetties are more than transportation points. They are critical gateways for the movement of people and goods across the territory.
Ensuring that these gateways have appropriate security infrastructure is therefore an important preventive measure. Closing potential screening gaps, particularly at remote and high-movement jetties, could strengthen the Islands’ overall security architecture and support ongoing efforts to keep narcotics and other prohibited substances out of the inter-island transportation network.
