India and Sri Lanka have relaunched a direct, high-speed passenger ferry service between the two countries on 14 October, after a gap of nearly four decades.
Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports, E.V. Velu, flagged off the first service from the Nagapattinam port on Saturday.
Overview
On its inaugural journey, the high-speed craft (HSC) Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers and 12 crew members to Sri Lanka and returned to India by the evening with passengers from Sri Lanka.
Strengthening 🇮🇳-🇱🇰 ties via coastal connectivity!
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 14, 2023
Delighted to launch Nagapattinam (India) - Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) first International Passenger Ferry Service from Nagapattinam Port in Tamil Nadu.
My gratitude to colleague Shri @DrSJaishankar ji, Sri Lanka Minister Shri… pic.twitter.com/cP2TPz7j7D
The ferry service will be operational between Nagappatinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Sri Lanka’s northern province of Jaffna.
With a capacity of 150 pax, the ferry will cover a 110 km distance in around 3.5 hours.
The ferry service will provide a cost-effective and efficient mode of transport between the two countries and boost tourism, trade links and people-to-people ties.
Previously, the two countries resumed direct air connectivity between Chennai and Jaffna in December 2022.
Indian PM Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the event via video messages and hailed the initiative as a new chapter in India-Sri Lanka ties.
The two leaders also assured that steps would be taken to resume ferry service operation between Rameswaram and Talaimannar.
Jaishankar’s Remarks, Recent Visit to Sri Lanka
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar virtually addressed the event.
During his remarks, Jaishankar highlighted that the launch of the ferry service reaffirmed India’s focus on the Neighbourhood Policy.
He asserted that the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, ease of living, and ease of business were important for regional developments.
Jaishankar added that the ferry service would improve cooperation in disaster management, maritime security, and ease of business between the two countries.
🇮🇳 🇱🇰Bringing People of India and Sri Lanka closer through waterways!
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) October 14, 2023
After nearly four decades, ferry service between Nagapattinam 🇮🇳 and Kankesanthurai 🇱🇰 is back!@narendramodi @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @shipmin_india @sarbanandsonwal @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/unJtHuZihV
The EAM was in Sri Lanka to participate in the 23rd Council of Ministers’ meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), where the two countries signed three agreements in the housing and dairy sectors.
The Ferry Service
The Shipping Corporation of India has involved a private agency to sell the tickets for the vessel, which can accommodate around 150 passengers.
The ticket has been priced at Rs 7,670 (~$92) and will allow people to carry up to 50kg of baggage on board.
The daily service will continue till 23 October, after which it will be discontinued for two months till January, owing to rough weather conditions.
As the two countries hail the new service, deploying the Cheriyapani ferry between Sri Lanka and India has become a cause for concern for India’s Lakshadweep.
The ferry was earlier deployed in the Union Territory for inter-island transport, and its withdrawal is likely to exacerbate the transport problems in the islands.