India, SL to start ferry service between KKS and Puducherry

A passenger ferry service is slated to commence from next month between India and Sri Lanka. It will connect the Kankesanthurai port and Puducherry, South India. Ports and Shipping Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva, said that the Indian government had extended consent for the service. The passenger ferry service was likely to boost the tourism sector, as well as strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries, he said.

“The service will commence in view of several demands to improve connectivity. Minister Silva said that services would also be started from Southern India to Trincomalee and Colombo. He said he had asked the officials to develop the infrastructure related to customs, immigration and emigration, and other facilities, at the Sri Lankan ports. The vessels under the new service will carry 300 to 400 passengers on a trip that would take about three and half hours.

Indian media reports said that the ferry owners suggested that they would have to charge 60 dollars equivalent to 5,000 Indian rupees per passenger for a single journey and that each passenger could carry up to 100 kilos of luggage.