Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service to resume on January 2 with enhanced facilities

The two-way fare has been reduced to ₹8,500 from ₹9,700. Passengers will be allowed to carry only 10 kg of luggage free of cost and the ferry will operate six days a week

The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka is set to resume on January 2 after a temporary suspension because of weather.

The service will operate six days a week, with reduced fares, improved onboard amenities and special tourism packages aimed at enhancing cross-border travel.

Operated by Subham Ferry Services, a subsidiary of Subham Group, the two-way fare has been reduced to ₹8,500 from ₹9,700. Passengers will be allowed to carry only 10 kg of luggage free of cost with additional charges for excess baggage. Earlier, passengers could carry up to 23 kg of luggage.

To improve the travel experience, complimentary food would be provided onboard. Breakfast offerings will include idli and pongal during early journeys while lunch will feature vegetable biryani. A duty-free shop is being set up onboard, allowing passengers to purchase goods at discounted rates.

Subham Group has announced the launch of a dedicated website – sailsubham.com for booking tickets and accessing curated travel packages. These packages include two nights and three days of accommodation at select destinations, catering to middle-class travellers.

Sundararaj Ponnusamy, Chairman and Managing Director of Subham Group, said: “We aim to provide a seamless and affordable travel experience for passengers. The enhanced facilities and new packages will make travel between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka more convenient and enjoyable.”

The ferry service, which originally commenced in August, received a positive response from travellers on both sides of the Palk Strait. However, operations were temporarily suspended because of adverse monsoon conditions.

Earlier, the service was jointly operated by INDSRI Ferry Services and Subham Group. Mr. Sundararaj said that Subham Group had taken full control of the operations.

Published - December 17, 2024 07:25 pm IST