In boost to connectivity, high-speed ferry service launched between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka
| 2023-10-14
Vessel Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers on its inaugural journey from Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu) to Kankesanthurai (Sri
Launch of the ferry service is an important milestone in strengthening India-Sri Lanka ties, says PM Modi
In a major boost to regional connectivity, a high-speed ferry service was launched between Nagappatinam in Tamil Nadu, India and Kankesanthurai near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka on Saturday (October 14, 2023). With this, regular ferry service between the two maritime neighbours have resumed after a gap of nearly four decades.
The launch of the service was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter’s visit to India in July 2023.
“The Government of India’s efforts to start the ferry service are in line with the Government’s priority to enhance connectivity with neighbours and in the wider Indian Ocean Region,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after the launch.
A direct passenger ferry between Sri Lanka and India will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of travel for the people of the two countries, boost tourism and trade links and strengthen people-to people ties. The ferry will also enhance economic activity around the two ports and invigorate local economies, the MEA added.
This special occasion was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Wickremesinghe through a video message. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi remarked that India and Sri Lanka are embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of the ferry service is an important milestone in strengthening the relations.
“Connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer. It also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer,” he pointed out.
The milestone event was flagged off jointly by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Here are some salient features of the
Nagappatinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service:
1. The high-speed ferry operated by the Shipping Corporation of India has a capacity of 150 passengers. Vessel Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers on its inaugural journey to Sri Lanka and will return back to India by evening with passengers from Sri Lanka.
2. The distance of about 60 nm (110 Km) between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai will be covered in approximately three-and-a-half hours, depending on sea conditions.
3. Passengers on the ferry will have a higher baggage allowance of 50 kg compared to 15 kg on the Chennai-Jaffna sector by air. It also means that travellers carrying large baggage (up to 50 kg) can easily travel to the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka in 3 to 4 hours instead of undertaking a long journey by air to Colombo followed by a tedious road journey of 8 to 10 to the northern part of Sri Lanka.
4. On the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TMB)’s request, the MEA had sanctioned INR 8 crore for upgradation of Nagpattinam port. The funding was meant for work including dredging of the channel, refurbishment of the passenger terminal building and a proper approach road. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka has created necessary infrastructure at the port of Kankensanthurai.
5. The ferry service will continue until 23 October 23, 2023 before the North-East Monsoon sets in Tamil Nadu and the Sri Lankan coast, which would make regular operations difficult. Ferry services will resume after the rainy season, most likely in January 2024.
6. Pilgrims visiting India from Sri Lanka can easily travel to temples like the Saneeswaram temple at Thirunallar, Rameshwaram, Madurari and Tanjore, in addition to the church in Velankanni and the mosque in Nagore. They can also travel by road or train to various Buddhist sites in India. On the other hand, visitors from India can easily travel to pilgrim and tourist sites in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
It may be recalled that direct air connectivity between Chennai and Jaffna, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, was resumed in December 2022. Enhancing direct connectivity with the Northern Province of Sri Lanka complements the Government of India’s other ongoing development initiatives in the region, the MEA said.
Ferry services have traditionally been an important source of connectivity between India and Sri Lanka due to the geographical proximity between the two countries. This helped in facilitating the movement of people, trade and goods for centuries.
However, all ferry services were suspended in the 1980s due to security reasons. Subsequently, ferry services were launched between Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and Colombo (Sri Lanka) in May 2011. The distance of 152 nm (281 km) was covered in about 10 to 12 hours. The service was subsequently suspended in November 2011 on account of lack of commercial viability and the long travel time involved.
The launch of the service was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter’s visit to India in July 2023.
“The Government of India’s efforts to start the ferry service are in line with the Government’s priority to enhance connectivity with neighbours and in the wider Indian Ocean Region,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after the launch.
A direct passenger ferry between Sri Lanka and India will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of travel for the people of the two countries, boost tourism and trade links and strengthen people-to people ties. The ferry will also enhance economic activity around the two ports and invigorate local economies, the MEA added.
This special occasion was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Wickremesinghe through a video message. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi remarked that India and Sri Lanka are embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of the ferry service is an important milestone in strengthening the relations.
“Connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer. It also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer,” he pointed out.
The milestone event was flagged off jointly by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Here are some salient features of the
Nagappatinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service:
1. The high-speed ferry operated by the Shipping Corporation of India has a capacity of 150 passengers. Vessel Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers on its inaugural journey to Sri Lanka and will return back to India by evening with passengers from Sri Lanka.
2. The distance of about 60 nm (110 Km) between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai will be covered in approximately three-and-a-half hours, depending on sea conditions.
3. Passengers on the ferry will have a higher baggage allowance of 50 kg compared to 15 kg on the Chennai-Jaffna sector by air. It also means that travellers carrying large baggage (up to 50 kg) can easily travel to the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka in 3 to 4 hours instead of undertaking a long journey by air to Colombo followed by a tedious road journey of 8 to 10 to the northern part of Sri Lanka.
4. On the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TMB)’s request, the MEA had sanctioned INR 8 crore for upgradation of Nagpattinam port. The funding was meant for work including dredging of the channel, refurbishment of the passenger terminal building and a proper approach road. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka has created necessary infrastructure at the port of Kankensanthurai.
5. The ferry service will continue until 23 October 23, 2023 before the North-East Monsoon sets in Tamil Nadu and the Sri Lankan coast, which would make regular operations difficult. Ferry services will resume after the rainy season, most likely in January 2024.
6. Pilgrims visiting India from Sri Lanka can easily travel to temples like the Saneeswaram temple at Thirunallar, Rameshwaram, Madurari and Tanjore, in addition to the church in Velankanni and the mosque in Nagore. They can also travel by road or train to various Buddhist sites in India. On the other hand, visitors from India can easily travel to pilgrim and tourist sites in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
It may be recalled that direct air connectivity between Chennai and Jaffna, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, was resumed in December 2022. Enhancing direct connectivity with the Northern Province of Sri Lanka complements the Government of India’s other ongoing development initiatives in the region, the MEA said.
Ferry services have traditionally been an important source of connectivity between India and Sri Lanka due to the geographical proximity between the two countries. This helped in facilitating the movement of people, trade and goods for centuries.
However, all ferry services were suspended in the 1980s due to security reasons. Subsequently, ferry services were launched between Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and Colombo (Sri Lanka) in May 2011. The distance of 152 nm (281 km) was covered in about 10 to 12 hours. The service was subsequently suspended in November 2011 on account of lack of commercial viability and the long travel time involved.
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