Karaikal-KKS ferry service to commence on 29 April

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva said the first ferry line, of the new ferry service, to be operated between Karaikal Port in Puducherry, India and Kankesanturai (KKS), is scheduled to call at the KKS Port on 29 April. 

The Minister disclosed this information at a discussion, with the stakeholders of this new ferry service, held recently at the Ministry.

A passenger terminal was built at the KKS Port as part of infrastructure development for the new ferry service. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has provided a financial facility of Rs 144 million for construction carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The initial construction phase of the passenger terminal has already been initiated by the SL Navy and will be handed over to the SLPA by the second week of April, following completion.

The ferry service owners at the discussion revealed that USD 50 will be charged from a passenger for a one-way trip and a baggage allowance of 100 kg will be permitted. 

A ferry will carry 150 passengers at a time and will take around 4 hours to reach KKS from Karaikkal Port. Ferry service owners emphasised that only day time services will be operated initially. The Minister said as the ferry service has been launched, any entrepreneur from Sri Lanka or India is welcome to invest.

The Minister also said besides the launch of the new ferry service, the expansion activities of the KKS Port will be expedited.

“As the credit line from India for this construction is insufficient, an additional credit facility of USD 16 million has been requested from the Indian Exim Bank,” the Minister said.

Karaikal-KKS ferry service to commence on 29 April