India and Sri Lanka are likely to be linked by a second passenger ferry service from Rameswaram to Talaimannar from July.
The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has received an expression of interest from an operator to ply an all-weather ferry service covering the distance in an hour and carrying 250 passengers. The maritime board is setting up a temporary jetty at Rameswaram and has approached the ministry of external affairs to set up customs and immigration facilities.
M Vallalar, vice-chairman and CEO of the maritime board, told TOI, “This service will revive the past glory of trade relations between the two countries, besides being a gateway for tourists visiting the island nation from India. The number of services a day can be expanded depending on the demand.”
The board has also sent a detailed project report prepared by IIT Madras to the Union shipping ministry for developing a permanent passenger terminal at Rameswaram at a financial outlay of 150 crore under the Sagarmala programme. Approved Tour Guides Association president P Asoka said passenger ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar will be a boon for pilgrims, who want to explore Ramayana trail in both the countries.
“International tourists can also club south India and Sri Lanka in their tour packages as used to be the norm till the early 1980s, when the ferry service was suspended after civil unrest in that country,” he added.
Ferry service from India to Sri Lanka was relaunched after four decades in 2023 between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai.
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