By: Vibhuti Pathak
The international passenger services from Kangesanthurai in the northern part of Sri Lanka, Jaffna and India’s southern part location Nagapattinam started in October 2023 after 40 years. The services were halted due to severe rains and will resume on May 13. An India based travel operator, IndSri Ferry Services Private Limited will be taking over these international services through the ship ‘Sivagangai’.
The Indian PM Modi had started flagging off these services for the ease of transport for the Sri Lankans and Indians.
Online ticket sales for the service, which will be handled by a new operator, will go live on Monday. After a gap of six months, the service is set to resume. Ticket sale is open from Monday through our website sailindsri.com for voyages between May 13 and November 15.
Previous services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar in Northern Sri Lanka were suspended in 1982 due to the Sri Lankan civil war. Subsequently, the second UPA government initiated the Thoothukudi-Colombo ferry service, which unfortunately ceased operations within five months.
The ship service will utilise the ‘Sivaganga’ ship, constructed in Andaman, with a capacity of 133 seats on the lower deck and 25 seats on the upper deck. Covering a distance of 60 nautical miles, the journey from Kankesanthurai port to Nagapattinam will take approximately three and a half hours.
This renewed ferry service aims to facilitate travel between the two countries at a low cost, also enabling people to explore their historical connections. Travelers planning to embark on this journey to India need only a passport for documentation.
“The service will be offered daily. ,” said S Niranjan Nanthagopan, managing director of IndSri Ferry Services Private Limited. A ticket from Kankesanthurai port to Nagapattinam is currently priced at £39 plus taxes. The pricing is the same for the return service.
Passengers are allowed to carry 60 kg of baggage on board without charges. Further, they are allowed to change their date of travel 72 hours before the scheduled trip. A full refund is also available on cancellation only during the period.
