A ferry ride that stopped in 1964 restarted on October 10, 2023, following a triumphant trial run of a high-speed passenger ferry, ending more than a decade of anticipation.
Following much anticipation, the passenger ferry connecting South India to Northern Sri Lanka is set to begin its operations on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, marking a prosperous occasion for both nations.
This significant milestone is attributed to the joint efforts of India and Sri Lanka, facilitated by the vessel ‘Cheriyapani’. This culminated in the sanction of an agreement that paved the way for this highly awaited service. Spearheaded by a Mumbai-based shipping corporation in India, the initiative gained momentum with the support of the High Commission of India and the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Aviation.
source – indianexpress.com
This service is implemented to bridge the geographical gap between the nations and provide a crucial transportation link. The ferry’s designated route will traverse from Nagapattinam in India to the port of Kankesanthurai (KKS) in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and vice versa. It promises to enhance connectivity and streamline travel between these neighbouring nations. Cheriyapani, a 150-seated ferry, will be in regular service, covering the stretch of 111 km (60 nautical miles) in just three hours with a crew of 14 people. The daily departure time will be 10 am from Nagapattinam and 3 pm from the Kankesanthurai Port. A single journey for individuals aged nine years and above is priced at Rs 7,500 (inclusive of GST), while children aged between three and nine will be charged half the fare.
Many can reminisce about the bygone era when, in the 1900s, a train-ferry hybrid known as Boat Mail or Indo-Ceylon Express operated between the two neighbouring countries. The ferry transported passengers to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, while the train used to run between Chennai and Dhanushkodi. The Secretary of the Thanjavur District Railway Users Association, A. Giri, reported that this service was halted in 1964 following a train being engulfed by a massive wave.
