1,000 passengers stranded in Kochi

Two ships,M V Amini Divi and M V Minicoy,which had been undergoing maintenance since May 15,would start operations from Thursday,sources said. These two ships are small and each can carry 150 passengers only,administration sources said.

Only three of seven vessels on the route are operational. M V Bharat Seema,M V Arabian sea and M V Lakshadweep sea can only accommodate 383,242 and 244 persons respectively.

Among the stranded passengers are those who have come for medical check-up to the mainland. Lakshadweep largely depends on Kerala for medical facilities.

Air India services,which operate three times a week to Lakshadweep,have also been hit after a flight skidded off the runway on August 19. The services are expected to resume from August 30,AI sources said. Kingfisher is also operating services to the union territory.