Government Ferry
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Andaman, the traveller’s paradise and an archipelago of charismatic islands is a place that you must visit once in your life. It doesn’t matter whatever your travel fancies are, Andaman will never disappoint you. From solo adventurers to honeymooners, family get-togethers to quick escapists, a trip to Andaman will satisfy everyone’s needs. There are numerous activities that you can do in Andaman to make your trip even more scintillating. Cruise and ferry rides are another major attraction of this trip. Both private and government ferries operate regularly between these islands, carrying over thousands of passengers every day across.
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About the Government Ferries
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Every day, numerous government ferries operate to and from the islands (both mainland and inter-island). These ferries serve as the lifeline of the islands, carrying thousands of travellers, both the locals as well as the tourists. In short, these ferries are one of the most necessary forms of transport and play a vital role in sustaining the livelihood and the economy of the islands. The Andaman and Nicobar administration maintains and overlooks the smooth operating of the government ferry services. Both the government and the private ferries sail from the capital, Port Blair to the popular islands Shaheed Dweep (Neil) and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock). However, the other islands such as Diglipur, Little Andaman, Rangat, Long Island are served by the government ferries operated only by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS). The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) is solely responsible for the manning, maintenance and operation of the vessels owned by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The Department presently provides shipping services to 29 of the 36 inhabited islands. At present, the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) operates 71 vessels in four sectors. These are: Mainland-Island Sector: This sector provides service between Port Blair and Kolkata, Vizag, Chennai. Inter-Island Sector: This sector provides services between Port Blair and the distant group of Islands Fore Shore Sector: This sector is designated to provide services between Port Blair and islands nearby. Harbour Ferry Sector: This sector is meant to provide services within the sheltered water and narrow creeks by ferry vessels.
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Travelling in Govt Ferry in Andaman
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Travelling in the government ferries in Andaman is comparatively cheaper than the private ferries. However, in terms of travel experiences, government ferries are nowhere near the private ferries. The first and the foremost drawback of travelling on these government ferries is the lack of comfort and luxury. While private ferries have luxurious seats with extensive cabin spaces, completely air-conditioned environments coupled with an aesthetic ambience, government ferries are unable to provide such a relaxing experience. The government ferries also have a different price rate for the tourists and the locals. Moreover, the major difference between the private cruises and the government ferries lie in the lack of entertainment. While you can munch on the delicious snacks, rights from the kiosks in the private ferries and enjoy the panoramic view of the turquoise waters underneath the blue sky, in government ferries, such delicacies are a major missing. To sum up, travelling by the government ferries will be cheaper but you would miss out a lot of luxuries and fun. For tourists who want to enjoy and relax in the lap of nature on a fancy, luxurious cruise mid-ocean, private ferries are the ideal choice. However, if you are one of those rugged, adventurous travellers with a knack for expeditions with a thrifty budget, we suggest you book a government ferry for your travels.
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Govt Ferry Booking
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Booking a government ferry in Andaman can be a very painful and hectic experience. You can either get a ticket by standing at the long queues or by booking through local agents. In such cases, the agents charge a quite higher price than the original price from the customers. Thus, if you are looking to book a government ferry in Andaman, the only hassle-free way to book is by contacting us at Andaman Emerald Holidays. The travel experts at our agency will get you confirmed bookings in no time and at quite cheap rates. Whether you are a foreign traveller or citizen of India, we will handle all the paperwork, necessary for a confirmed booking. You can find the schedule of the govt ferries from this link:Â
https://www.andaman.gov.in/mainland-shipping-schedule1