Ferry service between India and SL from next month: Indian media

Passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka is to commence from next month , According to Indian Media.
 
The ferry service will connect the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port in Jaffna district and Pondicherry.

Nimal Siripala de Silva, The Minister for Ports and Shipping said that the the Indian government extended consent for the service.

The Minister also said that a passenger transport service will also be started from South India to Trincomalee and Colombo .

Mr. De Silva added that this step of starting the ferry service was taken on the demand of the people of both countries.

Steps are being taken to develop infrastructure related to customs, immigration and emigration, and other facilities at the Sri Lankan ports.

The vessels under the new service will carry 300 to 400 passengers on a trip. The ferry would take about three and half hours between destinations.

Ferry owners suggested that they would have to charge five thousand Indian Rupees equivalent to Twenty thousand Sri Lankan rupees per passenger for a single journey and that each passenger could carry up to 100 kg of luggage.