A journey across the Palk Strait Premium

The Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service: The India-Sri Lanka ferry trip, with tourists, traders, and refugees, is full of excitement and concerns about the initiative in the two countries

On a cloudy September morning, five childhood friends in their late 60s gathered at Nagapattinam port in Tamil Nadu, their laughter cutting through the sea breeze. For over four decades, they had travelled across India together, but that day was different. They were boarding the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry between India and Sri Lanka for the first time. When asked the purpose of their visit, retired headmaster, C. Sugumaran, who was part of the group, said with a wide grin, “Just for fun.”

The ferry service had been restarted on October 14, 2023, after a nearly 40-year hiatus. In video messages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the then Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had hailed the diplomatic effort and highlighted the importance of launching the service between the two nations. Calling it a “new chapter in diplomatic and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka,” Modi said that the service would help strengthen cultural, commercial, and civilisational ties between between India and Sri Lanka. Wickremesinghe said the ferry was an important step in improving connectivity.

However, authorities temporarily suspended service after just a week, citing technical issues and rough weather.

On August 16 this year, service was resumed, with support from the External Affairs Ministry. The demand was initially low, forcing the operator to reduce frequency from seven days to three days a week. When interest grew again, the operator, IndSri Ferry Services Private Limited, added a fourth day. In recent weeks, there has been an encouraging rise in occupancy, with an average of 80 passengers per trip. Ticketing agencies said this was due to positive feedback, largely by word-of-mouth.

The ferry accommodates 165 passengers and crew and includes 27 premium seats. The price of a ticket is ₹5,000 for economy and ₹7,500 for premium. Passengers are allowed 23 kilogrammes of luggage for free. They can carry up to 50 kg of luggage by paying ₹50 for every additional kg. The ferry leaves Nagapattinam at 8 a.m. and reaches Kankesanthurai at noon. It leaves Sri Lanka at 2 p.m. and returns to India by 6 p.m.

The captain of the passenger ferry, Sivagangai, was J. Baskar. He explained that the vessel would operate at 18 knots with strict anti-smuggling protocols and would be monitored by authorities from both nations throughout the journey.

“Both sides can inspect the vessel at any time. It is mandatory for us to provide information on all aspects of the journey, including passenger numbers and nationalities, for transparency and security,” Baskar said. He added that the ferry was equipped with life jackets, life rafts, and a rescue boat.