Rameswaran - Tuticorin ferry service to resume

Indunil Hewage

Indian authorities are looking at possibilities to resume the ferry service between Rameswaran and Talaimannar, which was halted in early 1980s as a result of the war. According to the NDTV, Tuticorin Port Trust Chairman Subbiah and Shipping Secretary K. Mohandass who visited “Arichal Munai” to see the possibilities to resume the ferry service said that the central government’s need to initiate talks with the Sri Lankan government to restart the ferry service. Officials also said Rameswaram does not have a port facility and it was up to the government of Tamil Nadu to construct a new port.

According to officials, Tuticorin-Colombo ferry service will be recommence once a large ship that could transport 1,450 passengers per trip arrive from the Shipping Corporation of India. The Tuticorin-Colombo ferry service was initiated in June last year to reap the post war opportunities, but however the service was halted after several months of operation due to economic and legal problems. Mohandass said Sri Lanka was looking for new operators to revive ferry services between Colombo-Tuticorin.

Commenting on the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel project, officials said the case was pending with the Supreme Court and they have made some suggestions regarding the alternative route and that is also pending in the court.

Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project proposes linking Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, between India and Sri Lanka. It was reported that the proposed project would damage the Ramar sethu, a bridge believed to have been constructed by Lord Ram and at the moment the work on the project has been halted as the Supreme Court had earlier reserved orders on the project and appointed an expert committee headed by noted environmentalist R K Pachauri.

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