An international, high-speed passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in the northern province of Sri Lanka, has resumed on October 14, 2023, after a gap of nearly four decades.
Key points
- The high-speed craft (HSC) Cheriyapani, embarked on its journey around 8.15 a.m. from the Nagapattinam port with 50 passengers and 12 crew members.
- The ferry service will help strengthen cultural, commercial, and civilisational ties between the two nations.
- Connectivity is the central theme of the joint vision of the India – Sri Lanka economic partnership.
- The operation of the ferry service will strengthen cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and the northern province of Sri Lanka.
- The launch also affirmed the ‘neighbourhood first’ policy of India. Further, it would help improve cooperation in disaster management, maritime security, and ease of business between the two nations.
Nagapattinam port
- The Nagapattinam port is one of the non-major ports under the maintenance of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board, and is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal at the estuary of the Kaduvaiyar river that flows south of the town between Akkaraipettai and Keechankuppam fishermen villages.
- The Union Ministry of External Affairs had sanctioned ₹8 crore to upgrade the infrastructure at the port.
