To promote eco-tourism and blue economy development, passenger vessel ‘Sindhu’ successfully completed its maiden voyage to Barren Island, the only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent, and returned safely to Haddo Wharf, Port Blair.
This marks the first-ever public voyage launched by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), to promote responsible tourism and educational travel in the archipelago.
Key Highlights
- Purpose: Promote tourism, education, and eco-awareness in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Distance: ~140 km from Port Blair to Barren Island (by sea).
- Organisers: Andaman & Nicobar Administration & Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
- Vessel: MV Sindhu– Passenger vessel with a capacity of 500 passengers.
- Inaugural Trip: Included tourists and 125 government school students from across the islands.
- Frequency: Two trips per month will be operated for tourists and residents.
Facilities on Board:
- Clean cabins, guided tours, and eco-awareness sessions.
- Four accommodation categories:
- Coral Suite: ₹8,310 per person
- Reef Suite: ₹6,340 per person
- Island Breeze: ₹4,290 per person
- Lagoon: ₹3,180 per person
- Food charges: ₹2,000 (for the full round voyage).
Significance:
- Marks a new chapter in Andaman tourism, introducing geo-tourism and educational maritime travel to a volcanic site previously restricted to scientists.
About the Vessel ‘Sindhu’
- Type: Passenger-cum-tourism vessel.
- Capacity: 500 passengers.
- Objective: Facilitate short-distance island voyages, particularly for tourism and student learning experiences.
- Partners: Managed jointly by the Andaman Administration and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
Barren Island- India’s Fiery Landmark
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | ~140 km northeast of Port Blair, Andaman Sea |
| Type | Active volcanic island |
| Unique Feature | Only active volcano in South Asia and part of the volcanic arc from Sumatra to Myanmar |
| Formation | Lies at the junction of Indian and Burmese tectonic plates |
| Structure | Stratovolcano — composed of lava, volcanic ash, and rock fragments |
| Diameter | ~3 km (volcanic crater ~0.5 km from shore) |
| Major Eruptions Recorded | 1787 (first recorded), 1991, 1995, 2005, 2017 |
| Habitation | Uninhabited by humans; only small populations of goats, bats, birds, and rats exist |
| Access | Earlier restricted to scientists and researchers; now open for controlled tourism |
| Ecological Importance | Acts as a natural laboratory for geology and biodiversity studies |
Boost to Andaman Tourism
- Marks a shift from beach-based tourism to geo-tourism and educational exploration.
- Introduces tourists to the volcanic heritage and marine biodiversity of the Andaman Sea.
- Promotes responsible tourism and eco-awareness among students and visitors.
- Could pave the way for eco-tourism routes linking Havelock, Neil, and Little Andaman Islands.
- Aligns with India’s focus on the Blue Economy, integrating tourism, conservation, and maritime education.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
| Aspect | Details |
| Status | Union Territory of India |
| Islands | 836 total islands; ~30 inhabited |
| Location | ~1,300 km southeast of Indian mainland |
| Capital | Port Blair |
| Strategic Position | Near Malacca Strait — a key global maritime chokepoint |
| Neighbouring Regions | Indonesia (Sabang – 90 nautical miles from Indira Point), Myanmar (Coco Islands – 18 nautical miles away) |
| Maritime Boundaries | Shares international maritime zones with Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh |
| EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) | Grants India vast oceanic jurisdiction under UNCLOS |
| Command Structure | Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) — India’s only Tri-Service Command (since 2001) |
Strategic Significance of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Maritime Security:
- Acts as India’s first line of defence in the eastern Indian Ocean.
- Monitors key Indo-Pacific chokepoints — Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, and Ombai-Wetar Straits.
Geo-strategic Location:
- Enables India to project power in the eastern seaboard.
- Crucial for India’s “Act East Policy” and Indo-Pacific Maritime Strategy.
Blue Economy Development:
- Promotes tourism, fisheries, shipping, and renewable energy integration.
- Enhances trade and connectivity with Southeast Asian nations.
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA):
- The ANC serves as a Tri-Service base ensuring continuous surveillance and coordination.
About Great Nicobar Island (GNI)
| Feature | Details |
| Area | 910 sq. km — one of the largest islands in the archipelago |
| Location | Southernmost island of Nicobar group (520 km from Port Blair) |
| Southernmost Point | Indira Point (formerly Pygmalion Point) |
| Headquarters | Campbell Bay |
| Ecosystem | Tropical evergreen forests, mangroves, marine fauna (dugong, Nicobar megapode, turtles) |
| Biosphere Reserves | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Campbell Bay NP, Galathea NP |
| UNESCO Recognition | Added to World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2013) |
| Tribes | Shompen, Nicobarese (Mongoloid origin) |
| Economy | Agriculture, fishing, horticulture; small settler population (~8,000) |
Significance of Voyage
- Tourism Diversification: Expands Andaman tourism beyond beaches to include geo-tourism and maritime learning.
- Blue Economy Promotion: Integrates sustainable tourism with maritime education and conservation.
- Strategic Awareness: Reinforces India’s presence in the Andaman Sea through increased civil navigation.
- Public Engagement: Encourages islanders’ participation in eco-tourism and environmental preservation.
Key Facts
| Topic | Fact |
| India’s Only Active Volcano | Barren Island (Andaman Sea) |
| Volcano Type | Stratovolcano (Composite Volcano) |
| Other Volcanoes Nearby | Dormant Narcondam Island (Andaman Sea) |
| Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) | Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways |
| Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) | India’s only Tri-Service Command, established in 2001 |
| Indira Point | Southernmost tip of India, located on Great Nicobar Island |
| Blue Economy | Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean health |