Excitement is building as Tamil Nadu prepares to reintroduce a long-awaited passenger ferry service to Sri Lanka. Officials have announced that the service, initially scheduled for October 10, is now set to commence on October 14, 2023, rekindling a link between the Indian state and the island nation after a 40-year hiatus.
The Nagapattinam Shipping Harbour Department has gone a step further to entice travelers by offering an unbeatable inaugural fare. The original ticket price for the journey to Sri Lanka was ₹7,670 per person, inclusive of an 18% GST. However, in a one-day special offer for passengers traveling on October 14, the fare has been significantly reduced to just ₹2,800, including 18% tax. This represents a remarkable 75% discount off the regular ticket price.
Already, 30 eager passengers have seized this unique opportunity to explore the neighboring country at an affordable rate, highlighting the pent-up demand for such a service. The officials of the Nagapattinam Shipping Harbour Department have been delighted with the enthusiastic response.
The trial run for the ferry service took place on October 8, 2023, during which officials meticulously examined the comfort and safety of passengers traveling by sea. The trial’s success has bolstered confidence in the safety and efficiency of the service, which will cover the 111-kilometer stretch between Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka in just three hours once fully operational.
This ferry service’s reinitiation is the result of discussions held virtually by the India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee on July 14, 2023, as outlined in a press release issued by the High Commission of India, Colombo. The India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee was established under the MOU on Passenger Transportation by Sea, and its discussions were primarily focused on strengthening connectivity and resuming ferry services between the two nations, connecting mutually agreed points.
Both sides emphasized the significant benefits of resuming ferry services, including a boost to regional trade, tourism, and stronger people-to-people ties. This initiative holds the potential to foster closer relations and promote economic exchange between India and Sri Lanka.
As the inaugural ferry service prepares to set sail on October 14, travelers and officials alike are looking forward to rekindling old ties, forging new connections, and creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.
Sources By Agencies
