Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jun 2: For the past one and a quarter year, since the coronavirus pandemic began, Karnataka has not transported any goods to Lakshadweep Union Territory (UT) with which the state has a huge economical tie. This has caused hundreds of crore of rupees of revenue to the state exchequer. In turn, Kerala has taken the advantage and is supplying all goods to the UT since the onset of coronavirus pandemic.

Around 30% of items like groceries, daily use items, cement, iron, asphalt and sand were transported to Lakshadweep from Old Port at Bunder in the city. Rest were being supplied from Cochin and Beypore ports in Kerala. However, for the past one and a half year 100% goods are transported from Kerala to Lakshadweep as Karnataka imposed lock down.

Ship from Mangaluru to Lakshadweep (file photo)

Around four to five ships used to transport more than 100 tonnes each of goods to Lakshadweep from Old Port in Bunder every week. In addition, one ship used to leave from Old Port carrying passengers and material.

Entrepreneur and secretary of Bunder labourers’ union B K Imtiyaz says that since last year only three times the goods vessel was allowed to transport material to Lakshadweep.

Hundreds of labourers have lost their livelihood because of stoppage of goods transport to Lakshadweep from the city. There are around 300 to 400 labourers dedicated for this work. Every year many people of Karnataka go to Lakshadweep to work. Residents of Lakshadweep come to Mangaluru and buy things. But all these activities are stopped due to the prohibition imposed by the state government.