JUDGMENT

Dated this the 14th day of June, 2022 SHAJI P.CHALY,J Petitioner, a social worker and resident of Lakshadweep Island, has filed this public interest writ petition allegedly aggrieved by the action of the respondents in not having adequate number of larger ships for transportation of passengers inter island, and from mainland to Lakshadweep and vice-versa, and the concomitant difficulties faced by the citizens of Lakshadweep. According to the petitioner, there are five all-weather passenger ships in the ownership of Lakshadweep Administration, that are being operated, however, due to sheer lack of planning and lethargy, only two ships are plying and three are kept idle due to reasons best known to the Administration.

2. It is pointed out that despite the huge increase in number of passengers in comparison to 2014 and the difficulties faced by the public, the Lakshadweep Administration is not taking any earnest efforts to ply the remaining all-weather ships, which led to a situation, where the public are unable to travel between the islands and to the mainland and and vice-versa.

3. According to the petitioner, in spite of various requests made, the authorities have not taken a