Sri Vijaya Puram, June 29: In a significant traffic realignment for South Andaman commuters, the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) has announced an immediate diversion of heavy vehicle ferry routes following traffic restrictions imposed on Chatham Bridge. The move, prompted by the distressed condition of the bridge, limits ferry operations from Chatham Jetty to only passengers and two-wheelers, while all three- and four-wheeled vehicles, including government transport, will now be diverted via Phoenix Bay Jetty.
The decision comes in accordance with Notification No. 9-170/LS/2018/PF-1/3258 dated June 27, 2025, issued by the District Magistrate, South Andaman. The restrictions were deemed necessary due to structural vulnerabilities identified in Chatham Bridge, which connects key points in Sri Vijaya Puram’s traffic network and bears considerable daily load from inter-island vehicular movement.
In response, DSS has operationalised an additional vehicle ferry service from Phoenix Bay Jetty (Stage-1), with entry through DSS Gate No. 3. The revised schedule facilitates movement between Phoenix Bay and Bambooflat, beginning from 0600 hrs and continuing until 2000 hrs in a loop of eight round trips. The first trip from Bambooflat begins at 0600 hrs, and the return trip from Phoenix Bay starts at 0700 hrs, with hourly intervals throughout the day.
Emergency vehicles including ambulances, fire tenders, and mortuary vans have been granted uninterrupted access through the Phoenix Bay route. The administration has urged the public to cooperate and plan their travel in accordance with the new timings.
The impact of this shift is expected to be significant, particularly for daily commuters, goods carriers, and administrative vehicles. Chatham Jetty has traditionally served as a central hub for vehicle and passenger ferries, connecting the capital with Bambooflat and Dundus Point. With its temporary limitation to two-wheelers and pedestrians, the burden now shifts to Phoenix Bay Jetty, which may experience higher traffic volumes and logistical strain in the coming days.
This realignment also underscores the long-standing concerns over the ageing infrastructure of Chatham Bridge, which has seen repeated wear due to constant vehicular pressure and environmental exposure. Though no official statement has been issued about the specific damage or duration of the restriction, the immediate implementation suggests that preventive safety measures were deemed critical.
As previously reported by The Wave Andaman 🔗, the restriction on heavy vehicles was first triggered by concerns raised during routine inspections. Experts have recommended reducing load on the bridge until a structural review and potential repairs are completed. The report also highlighted the urgency of developing alternative logistics routes for essential services and public transportation.
The administration’s quick coordination in arranging alternate ferry routes is seen as a precautionary move to maintain continuity in public services and transport access, especially with monsoon logistics and administrative functions dependent on inter-island mobility.
While the new ferry arrangement has eased some pressure off Chatham, commuters have expressed concerns over longer waiting times and confusion regarding new entry points and trip intervals. However, DSS officials have assured that the schedule will be monitored and adjusted based on traffic load and demand patterns over the next few days.
Passengers and vehicle owners are advised to use Phoenix Bay Jetty for all four-wheeler movements until further notice. The administration has not yet confirmed a timeline for restoration of full ferry access via Chatham Jetty, leaving the duration of these temporary changes open-ended.
With peak monsoon approaching, maritime safety and load-bearing infrastructure remain high on the administration’s priority list. For now, the diverted ferry service from Phoenix Bay serves as the interim lifeline for uninterrupted public mobility across the strait.
