State government employees opting for Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will now be allowed to travel by air in economy class, marking a significant change in long-standing travel rules. The decision comes in response to growing logistical challenges associated with sea travel to the islands, particularly due to irregular and unreliable shipping services.
Traditionally, employees were permitted to avail LTC to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands once in a block of ten years, with the journey mandated to be undertaken by ships or vessels operated by the Shipping Corporation of India. Reimbursement was limited to shipping fares approved by the Directorate of Shipping Services. However, variations in fares across different vessels often led to confusion and administrative hurdles while processing claims.
In recent years, air travel has emerged as the preferred mode of transport for most LTC beneficiaries, especially as the islands continue to be a popular destination among state employees. Acknowledging the practical difficulties of sea travel under current conditions, the state government has now relaxed the rules to allow airfare reimbursement under clearly defined guidelines.
According to a notification issued by the Finance Department, employees choosing air travel must begin their journey from the airport closest to their headquarters or place of posting. Flights must be operated either by a national carrier or an Indian private airline offering direct connectivity to Shri Vijaya Puram, earlier known as Port Blair. To ensure transparency, tickets are required to be booked directly through airline booking counters or official airline websites.
Reimbursement will be limited strictly to the actual airfare mentioned on the ticket, reducing ambiguity and simplifying claim verification. Despite the new provision, employees who prefer sea travel will continue to have the option of travelling by ship or vessel under existing norms.
The revised policy is expected to ease travel planning for employees, streamline reimbursement processes and align LTC rules with current travel realities, while maintaining flexibility and fiscal discipline.
