India-Sri Lanka high-speed passenger ferry services begin today

Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday announced that the high-speed passenger ferry service connecting India’s Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai, which experienced a delay of almost six months due to various reasons, would commence operations today. 
A trial session for the service was conducted yesterday, a press release issued by the Shipping, and Aviation Ministry said.

As per the schedule, the passenger vessel named ‘Cheriyapani’ is set to depart from Nagapattinam Port to Kankesanthurai Port on October 10 at 12:30 p.m.. The maiden voyage will carry approximately 50 passengers, and the vessel is scheduled to return to Nagapattinam at 4:00 p.m.on the 
same day.
The high-speed vessel ‘Cheriyapani,’ measuring 35 metres in length and 9.6 metres in height, is owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (S.C.I) and has a capacity of accommodating 150 passengers.
The journey from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai Port is estimated to take approximately four hours, with a one-way ticket costing 26,750 Sri Lankan rupees and a round trip ticket priced at 53,500 Sri Lankan rupees. 

The operators of the passenger ferry service have indicated that each passenger is allowed to carry up to 50 kilograms of luggage. The operation and marketing of this ferry service are managed by the Sri Lankan company Asha Agency Ltd. and a ticket sales agent has also been appointed in the city of Jaffna.
Minister de Silva highlighted that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has invested Rs.450 million to construct a modern passenger terminal at the Port of Kankesanthurai. This terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including provisions for immigration, customs, and health services.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasized that the initiation of the passenger ferry service was the result of extensive discussions between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation of 
Sri Lanka.
The vessel ‘Cheriyapani,’ which underwent a trial voyage yesterday, was also inspected by the relevant authorities.