India set to launch ferry service between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka from Oct 10
The ferry service will connect India with its neighbour through the sea route after almost four decades
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is set to launch a ferry service between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka on Tuesday (October 10), which will cover a distance of 60 nautical miles between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka.
India ran a passenger ferry service from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, which was suspended in 1982 owing to a civil war there. The ferry service will connect India with its neighbour through the sea route after almost four decades.
“This service would offer an excellent opportunity for the people of India and Sri Lanka to make a low-cost trip to Jaffna and Tamil Nadu and further strengthen the historical ties between both the nations,” a statement SCI said on Saturday (October 7).
The high-speed mechanised vessel, christened Cheriyapani, began its trial run on Saturday (October 7) between the Nagapattinam port in Tamil Nadu to the Kankesanthurai port near Jaffna, according to media reports. The ferry service, to be manned by a 14-member crew, is expected to travel the distance in 3 hours.
A private company has been roped in to manage the sale of tickets by the SCI. Each ticket will be priced at Rs 7,670. The vessel can carry 150 passengers, while a passenger is allowed to carry up to 40 kg of baggage while travelling by ferry.
Before the launch of the ferry service, the Union and state governments have already set up offices for immigration, customs and shipping departments, besides a passenger terminal. The Central Industrial Security Force has been deployed to look after the security at the port.
(With agency inputs)
