Elaborate arrangements are underway to commence the Indo-Lanka ferry service

A passenger ferry service (ferry) between Jaffna (Kankasanthurai) and India's Karaikal port in Pondicherry has been planned and would begin operation on April 29th.

Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services, announced the other day that the Sri Lankan and Indian authorities have already taken steps to provide the basic logistics required for this project.

The amount payable for this passenger ship is $50 per single trip. The approximate value of that fee is 16,000 rupees in Sri Lankan currency.

In light of the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, it can be stated that travel fees between Sri Lanka and India are relatively low and very comfortable.

Due to the global economic crisis that followed the Corona threat, air travel prices rose to an unprecedented level. Air travel from Colombo to Chennai costs Rs 75,000. This is primarily due to the fact that air travel companies are facing a severe drop in demand because of the pandemic.

With fewer people opting to travel, companies are forced to raise fares in order to make up for their losses. Under such circumstances, it is an enormous comfort for the people of both countries to start their travel and other activities.

This includes trading between the two countries at low costs. As a result, the cost of travel from Sri Lanka (Jaffna) to Chennai is now affordable for many people, making it easier for them to take advantage of the opportunities that increased trade between the two countries can bring.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said this passenger ferry service is open to businessmen in India and Sri Lanka. Through this business venture, people from both countries will have access to new business opportunities.

Eventually, it will help both countries raise the quality of life of their consumers in general. The ferry will also create jobs and stimulate the economy while fostering better relations between India and Sri Lanka. Ultimately, it is hoped that this will lead to increased trade and investment between the two countries.

Regarding the proposed service between Pondicherry, India, and Kankasanturai, Sri Lanka, information was released to the media. This was following a discussion chaired by the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, on March 24. This service is expected to facilitate trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries. It is also expected to reduce the cost of shipping goods between India and Sri Lanka.

During the initial discussion, the ferry owners agreed to charge US$50 per passenger, per destination. It was also decided that one passenger could carry luggage weighing up to 100 kg. During the first phase of the proposed passenger ferry service, operations will be restricted only to the daytime.

The frequency may increase with the demand from passengers, and nighttime operations may soon be rolled out. This agreement was made to ensure the service was affordable and accessible while also allowing for the possibility of increasing the frequency of the service as demand increases. Additionally, the allowance of luggage weighing up to 100 kg allows passengers to travel with the necessary items they may need while traveling.

The ferry is expected to carry up to 150 passengers per journey. It will take around 4 hours to travel from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry to Kankasanthure on the Jaffna peninsula. Ferry service owners have stated that in the first phase, only daytime operations will be carried out.

The minister has already directed the ministry secretary to take immediate steps to develop the infrastructure related to customs, immigration, and other formalities at the Sri Lankan port. This is according to government procurement methods.

It has also been decided to establish two immigration and emigration offices in Kankasanthure and Karaikal. The preliminary work has already begun in this regard.

Currently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services says a passenger terminal is being built at Kankasanture port. In addition, the facilities required for passenger services are being improved. The Sri Lanka Navy's entire construction cost is estimated at 144 million rupees. Plans have already been made to complete the work and hand over the terminal to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority by April.

It has been revealed that India and Sri Lanka will not initially provide vessels for the passenger ferry service. Instead, they will provide vessels under a tender called by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Under the proposed ferry program, one passenger ferry will carry 150 passengers, and the maximum weight per passenger has been fixed at 100 kg. For one destination, the fare is estimated at $50.

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Gopal Baglay, appreciated the government of Sri Lanka at a ceremony held last month. The ceremony was held to announce the decision to resume passenger ferry services between Sri Lanka and India. This was to increase tourist arrivals between the two countries.

"I appreciate the Sri Lankan government's decision to resume passenger ferry services between India and Sri Lanka. I think once we resume passenger services, tourism between our two countries will reach an unprecedented height. Why shouldn't we do that?" Mr. Gopal Baglay asked. He stated this while participating in an event held at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo.

He emphasized that while promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination for Indian tourists, it should not be limited to religious tourism by assuming it is only for the elderly or middle-aged.

Highlighting the cultural and historical ties between the two countries, the Indian High Commissioner said that as India is undergoing a transformation with the program called "Digital India", this opportunity can also be used to promote Sri Lanka. He added that internet users can promote tourism in the two countries.

A green light for the tourism industry

The proposed passenger ferry service to be started between India and Sri Lanka will undoubtedly contribute directly to the promotion of the tourism industry in the north-eastern regions. Through this, we can expect an increased influx of tourists, including Indian businessmen, which will help the overall tourism industry in the country. New job opportunities are created in the tourism industry by providing services to Indian tourists.

The ferry service between the two countries will operate at frequent frequencies, with more passenger ferries added to the service. This will be a boost to the tourism industry, especially in Sri Lanka.

People from both countries will have more convenient access to the other country, which will make it easier for them to travel and explore. This will result in more tourists from both countries visiting each other, increasing revenue for the tourism industry in both nations.