Ferry service in two months

20 December 2010 02:46 am Views - 5093

Following the consent of the Ministries concerned from India and Sri Lanka, the ferry service to Colombo from Tuticorin is expected to commence in two months, the Hindu reported today.

A high level meeting was convened Tuticorin on December 15 with associated agencies to assess the degree of preparedness. Officials from Immigration, Customs, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Marine Police and the intelligence agencies attended the meeting. They extended cooperation to enhance security.

Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust G.J. Rao, said that the ship to be used for the service was expected to accommodate 500 passengers. As for journey time, it would take 12 hours to reach Colombo from Tuticorin. Five private agencies had come forward to operate the service. Representations to this effect had been made to the Shipping Corporation of India, he said.

Infrastructure facilities at the passenger terminal were being augmented at a cost of Rs.2 crore. Security gadgets were also included in the developments at the terminal. Screening apparatus were being established to monitor the proceedings under a scanner for increased surveillance.