Port Blair: The soaring cost of air travel from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has come under fresh political scrutiny, with the CPI(M) urging the Centre to make life-saving medical evacuation affordable while restoring adequate flight connectivity between Sri Vijaya Puram and Chennai.
In a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, CPI(M) Andaman & Nicobar Organising Secretary D. Ayyappan sought immediate intervention to provide affordable airfares for stretcher patients, reduce passenger ticket prices and increase flight frequency on the Chennai–Sri Vijaya Puram sector.
The party expressed serious concern over the steep charges allegedly being levied for transporting critically ill patients to mainland hospitals. According to CPI(M), airlines that once offered stretcher travel at affordable rates are now reportedly charging nearly ₹3 lakh for a single journey from Sri Vijaya Puram to the mainland, putting emergency medical evacuation beyond the reach of ordinary island families.
The letter also highlighted the sharp rise in passenger airfares on mainland routes, stating that the burden is being felt not only by patients but also by students, families and others travelling for education, employment and social commitments.
CPI(M) further alleged that exorbitant airfares are hurting the islands’ tourism sector, discouraging visitors and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on tourism-related activities.
Expressing concern over shrinking air connectivity, the party said flight services between Chennai and Port Blair have been drastically reduced. Ayyappan claimed that IndiGo, which operated three daily flights on the route until about a month ago, is now operating only one, forcing many passengers to travel via Bengaluru or Hyderabad at higher cost and greater inconvenience.
Appealing for urgent action, CPI(M) urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to regulate stretcher fares, reduce ticket prices on the Chennai–Port Blair route and restore adequate flight services, stating that these measures would provide much-needed relief to lakhs of islanders while also helping revive tourism in the Union Territory.
