Nagapattinam to Jaffna: Ferry Service Set Sail Again from August 16

COLOMBO (News 1st); The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka is all set to recommence again from August 16, and Indian media reported that the operator of the ferry has obtained all clearances.

The IndSri Ferry Service Private Ltd in an official statement said that the ferry service would be operated from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai at Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

The ferry, ‘Sivagangai’ has been deployed for the service for which the online booking for passengers would open from midnight on August 12 and the service will start from August 16. 

According to Indian media, though the service was initially planned between Karaikal and Kankesanthurai, subsequently, the route was altered from Nagapattinam as Karaikal port has been focussing on coal shipments, particularly, for industrial purposes, and in that case, it might be risky for the facility to handle passenger services.

The service was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the trial run in October 2023. 

The service commenced with the vessel Cheriyapani, thereafter suspended since the climatic conditions were not favourable.

Indian media said that that there are as many as 150 seats for passengers in addition to 30 crew members. The tickets were fixed at Indian Rs 6,000.