Passenger FerryServices

A passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam, India to Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka was flagged off on 14.10.2023and it had undertaken four round voyages upto20^th October, 2023, after which weather condition became unfavorable for ferry operation. The response from passengers was satisfactory.

To start passenger ship service between Kerala and the Gulf for the Indian expatriates in Gulf Countries, three VIP references were received by this Ministry :-

(i)         Shri Adv. A. M. Ariff, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Alappuzha, Kerala – letter dated 20.09.2023

(ii)        Shri AhammadDevarkovil, Minister of Ports, Museums Archaeology & Archives, Government of Kerala – letter dated 17.10.2023

(iii)       Shri Antony Raju, Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala – letter dated 17.10.2023

 

Discussion was held with stakeholders, namely, Shipping Corporation of India, Directorate General of Shipping, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kerala Maritime Board & NORKA Roots, an agency under Government of Kerala. Virtual meetings were held between Shipping Corporation of India, NORKA Roots and Kerala Maritime Board on 10.11.2023 & 15.12.2023 wherein it was decided that KMB and NORKA to float an open advertisement seeking offer from interested parties/operations with suitable vessels readily available to start operations between Kerala and Gulf. It was also decided that NORKA will conduct survey for passenger demand, frequency of vessel operations and pricing of tickets.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri SarbanandaSonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

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MJPS/NSK