A big vessel sails within the foreground of Barren Island, India’s solely lively volcano, within the Andaman Sea, Andaman and Nicobar. File | Photograph Credit score: PTI
In a bid to advertise tourism within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, passenger vessel ‘Sindhu’ has accomplished its maiden voyage to Barren Island — the one lively volcano within the Indian subcontinent, and returned to Haddo. Wharf in Port Blair, an official stated on Sunday (October 26, 2025).
Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar flagged off the ship round 9 pm on October 24, 2025. Almost 140 km away from Port Blair by sea, the uninhabited Barren Island lies on the junction of the Indian and Burmese. tectonic plates.
“The ship returned safely with all vacationers and faculty kids on Saturday (October 25, 2025). That is the primary time the Union Territory Administration has launched this service for vacationers to go to the island,” Andaman and Nicobar Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar instructed PTI,
There can be two such journeys, which can be operated each month, providing islanders and vacationers a possibility to witness considered one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights, amid the scenic water of the Andaman Sea, Mr. Kumar stated.
The vessel ‘Sindhu’, with a carrying capability of 500 passengers, sailed virtually at full capability, together with 125 authorities college college students drawn from completely different components of the archipelago.
“Watching the volcano from just some nautical miles away is superb,” one of many vacationers, Archana Devi, stated. Vacationers Monideepa Chowdhury and S. Pillai thanked crew members of the ship for an exquisite journey.
“Love Andaman. The staffers had been extraordinarily courteous, the vessel was clear, and the meals was scrumptious. Trying ahead to endeavor the subsequent journey on board Sindhu,” Mr. Chowdhury stated.
The vessel began crusing from Haddo Wharf on Friday (October 24) night, and within the early hours of the subsequent day, passengers loved the breathtaking sight because the island’s lively volcano got here into view with a crimson glow on its crest, in response to a press release.
The subsequent morning, the ship circled the island, providing all passengers a shocking panorama of volcanic splendor and the dawn over the ocean, the assertion stated.
“The vessel started its return voyage at 8 am, and reached Port Blair round 3 pm on Saturday (October 25), marking the tip of a unprecedented and historic voyage,” the Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar. stated.
There are 4 classes of lodging within the vessel. Whereas ‘Coral Suite’ and ‘Reef Suite’ will value round ₹8,310 and ₹6,340 per head, respectively, ‘Island Breeze’ and ‘Lagoon’ will value round ₹4,290 and ₹3,180 per head.
Meals can be supplied for your entire spherical voyage for an extra cost of ₹2,000 per passenger.
This new service marks a pivotal growth within the tourism sector within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Chief Secretary stated.
Printed – October 27, 2025 04:22 pm IST