Sri Vijaya Puram, May 27: TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has urged the A&N Administration to take immediate steps to address the steep rise in airfare charges between Sri Vijaya Puram and mainland cities, warning that the escalating travel costs are placing severe financial strain on island residents, particularly patients travelling for emergency medical treatment.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary on May 22, Bhasker highlighted what he described as “exorbitant” flight ticket prices on mainland routes and called for urgent intervention in the larger public interest.
According to him, one-way airfare from Sri Vijaya Puram to Delhi is currently ranging between Rs. 18,000 and Rs. 25,000 for a journey of around three hours, while fares to Chennai are fluctuating between Rs. 13,000 and Rs. 16,000 despite the shorter flight duration.
Bhasker pointed out that these domestic fares are in several instances higher than the cost of travelling to international destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
He stated that the situation has become particularly difficult for poor patients referred to mainland hospitals because of the absence of advanced multi-specialty healthcare facilities in the islands. Families facing medical emergencies are often unable to bear the burden of high travel expenses in addition to treatment costs, he said.
The Congress leader noted that unlike mainland states, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have no rail or road connectivity, making air travel the only practical transport option for residents travelling for healthcare, education, employment and other essential needs.
Bhasker also raised concern over the high cost of emergency medical evacuation for stretcher patients. According to him, airlines are charging nearly Rs. 3.5 lakh for transporting critically ill patients requiring stretcher support to mainland hospitals, putting such services beyond the reach of ordinary families.
He urged the Administration to take up the matter with airline operators and explore measures to ensure affordable airfare for island residents. Among the suggestions put forward were the introduction of additional or chartered flights during peak travel seasons and subsidised tickets for economically weaker patients requiring medical treatment outside the islands.
Bhasker further pointed to the irregular operation of passenger ship services between the islands and mainland, stating that the lack of reliable sea connectivity has left residents heavily dependent on expensive flights.
The demand for intervention comes amid growing public concern over rising travel costs and limited connectivity options in the Union Territory, issues that have repeatedly surfaced during peak seasons and medical emergencies.
Meanwhile, in a separate humanitarian initiative, Bhasker extended financial assistance to the victim of a recent cylinder blast incident in Billiground that reportedly destroyed the family’s house.
Following his directions, a team from Sri Vijaya Puram led by Ameer Bux, Vice Chairman of the Minority Department of ANTCC, visited Billiground and handed over the donation amount to the affected family to support reconstruction efforts.
The financial assistance was handed over at the Block Congress Office in Billiground in the presence of Congress leaders and local representatives.
Bhasker conveyed solidarity with the affected family and reiterated his commitment towards humanitarian and relief activities aimed at assisting vulnerable families facing crises.
The twin interventions, one relating to public transport affordability and the other to direct humanitarian support, come at a time when issues of healthcare access, rising living costs and emergency support systems continue to remain central concerns for residents across the islands.
