COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday said it has tied up with the expansion of the Kankesanthurai port facility to support the passenger ferry service project between the island nation and India, which is set to begin later this month.
The Sri Lanka Navy is constructing a passenger terminal at Kankesanthurai .
Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said last month that the passenger ferry service project would be launched by the end of April.
The project will connect Kankesanthurai and Puducherry port and provide an economical and convenient mode of transportation between the two countries, according to a Sri Lanka Navy press release.
As per the instructions of Naval Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, and at the request of the Ministry of Ports, the Sri Lankan Navy is active in supporting the expansion of the Kangesanthurai port facilities by deploying its manpower and expertise. , shipping and aviation,” the Navy said.
The program was “implemented by the Navy with competent manpower and industrial expertise” on February 1, according to the press release.
The Navy initiated facility expansion of the port to accommodate more traffic and provide better infrastructure.
According to a press release, the construction of a 1,000 square meter passenger terminal for immigration and customs clearance of people wishing to use the cruise service has been undertaken by the Navy.
A team of 60 naval personnel under the supervision of a naval civil engineer is engaged in the construction of the passenger terminal, the Navy said.
It added that once these facilities are completed, they will be handed over to the Sri Lankan Ports Authority for operational purposes.
“On April 29, a ferry service between Karaikal and Kankesanthurai will start at the port in Jaffna district. Baggage of 100 kg per passenger will be allowed at a very concessional rate,” Minister de Silva said last month.
Vessels under the new service will carry 300 to 400 passengers per trip, which takes about three-and-a-half hours between destinations, according to ferry owners.
