Vessel ‘Sindhu’ Launches Historic Voyage to Barren Island

In a historic stride for Indian tourism, the passenger vessel ‘Sindhu’ has completed its maiden voyage to Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, marking a pivotal moment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ maritime tourism. The journey, initiated by the Andaman Administration, is being hailed as a breakthrough in connecting the public with the natural marvels of the Indian Ocean region.

Barren Island: India’s Fiery Landmark

• Barren Island, located about 140 kilometres from Port Blair, sits at the convergence of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates.
• It is home to the only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent, last erupting intermittently in recent decades.
• Known for its glowing crater and geological significance, the island was previously accessible only to scientists or via aerial glimpses.
• This voyage offers the first structured, civilian sea-based access to the volcanic island, offering tourists and students a rare view of a live volcano under a controlled, safe tourism model.

The Maiden Voyage Experience

• The Sindhu set sail from Haddo Wharf at 9 PM on October 24, carrying 500 passengers, including 125 students from government schools across the islands.
• The voyage was flagged off by Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, who lauded the initiative as a step towards unlocking the archipelago’s tourism potential.
• Passengers onboard described the view of the glowing red volcano at sunrise as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Archana Devi, a passenger, noted the surreal beauty of seeing the red-lit peak from a few nautical miles away.
• Tourists praised the cleanliness, food quality, and staff courtesy on the ship.
• The vessel circled Barren Island at sunrise before heading back to Port Blair, completing the round trip in under 24 hours.