By: Vibhuti Pathak
In a bid to enhance cross-border connectivity and foster cultural exchange, international passenger ferry services between Kangesanthurai in northern Sri Lanka and Nagapattinam in southern India are scheduled to resume operations on May 13. After a temporary suspension due to adverse weather conditions, IndSri Ferry Services Private Limited, an India-based travel operator, will oversee these international voyages utilizing the vessel ‘Sivagangai’.
Ticket sales for the revived ferry service will commence on Monday, offering travel options between May 13 and November 15 via the website sailindsri.com. The decision to reinstate the ferry route follows the discontinuation of previous services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar in Northern Sri Lanka in 1982 amidst the Sri Lankan civil war. Despite subsequent attempts, such as the short-lived Thoothukudi-Colombo ferry service initiated by the second UPA government, sustainable operations were not achieved.
The ‘Sivaganga’ ship, constructed in Andaman, features a capacity of 133 seats on the lower deck and 25 seats on the upper deck, covering a distance of 60 nautical miles in approximately three and a half hours. With a focus on affordability and accessibility, passengers embarking on this journey to India require only a passport for documentation.
“The service will be offered daily,” affirmed S Niranjan Nanthagopan, managing director of IndSri Ferry Services Private Limited. Priced at £39 plus taxes for a one-way ticket from Kangesanthurai to Nagapattinam, the fare remains consistent for return journeys, ensuring transparency and convenience for travelers.
Passengers are permitted to carry up to 60 kg of baggage on board without additional charges and can request a change of travel date up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure. The provision of full refunds for cancellations within the specified period enhances flexibility and customer satisfaction.
