Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 6: The Hindu Rashtra Shakti, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has urged Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma to establish a centralised system for transporting mortal remains of Islanders from the mainland to Sri Vijaya Puram and from the capital to the inter-island regions.
In a representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, the organisation’s State President Rakeshwar Lall described the issue as a humanitarian concern faced by families who have to bring back the bodies of relatives who die while undergoing treatment or staying on the mainland.
The organisation said Islanders requiring advanced medical treatment often travel to cities such as Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi, but families face difficulties in returning mortal remains to their native islands after a death.
According to the representation, there is currently no centralised single-window mechanism or standard operating procedure through which families can complete the formalities required for transporting mortal remains. It alleged that families have to approach multiple departments and agencies, including G.B. Pant Hospital, police authorities, the Shipping Department and airlines, for documents such as NOCs, embalming certificates and cargo bookings.
The organisation also claimed that families face a substantial financial burden in transporting mortal remains by air. It cited charges ranging from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh for transportation from Chennai or Kolkata to Sri Vijaya Puram and said such costs could be unaffordable for families from remote and economically vulnerable communities.
Hindu Rashtra Shakti further claimed that delays of three to four days can occur because of limited ship availability, inadequate cold-storage facilities and delays in completing documentation. It said such delays add to the emotional distress of families during an already difficult period.
The representation also pointed to the absence of dedicated helpdesks or information counters at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Haddo Wharf and mainland airports to guide Islanders through the procedures involved in transporting mortal remains.
Another concern raised was the absence of a dedicated facilitation mechanism at Andaman Bhawan offices in Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. The organisation sought dedicated teams or officers who could assist Islanders with police formalities, embalming procedures and cargo bookings in medical and death-related cases.
Among its key demands, Hindu Rashtra Shakti has sought the establishment of a 24×7 centralised single-window cell in Sri Vijaya Puram under the Health or Shipping Department to coordinate all cases involving transportation of mortal remains.
It has also demanded dedicated facilitation teams at Andaman Bhawan in Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi, along with helpdesk counters at Veer Savarkar International Airport and Haddo Wharf.
The organisation has further sought a free or subsidised transportation policy, including free transportation through government ships for inter-island movement and subsidised air cargo for bringing mortal remains from the mainland to Sri Vijaya Puram through an Administration-funded mechanism.
It has also proposed that all necessary NOCs and certificates be issued within three hours through a time-bound system.
Calling the issue one of human sensitivity and dignity, Lall appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to intervene and initiate measures to reduce the procedural, financial and logistical difficulties faced by families transporting the mortal remains of their loved ones.
The representation was addressed to the Lieutenant Governor and circulated to several officials and organisations, including the Chief Secretary and other concerned authorities.
