Tuticorin to Colombo ferry service in two months

Following the consent of the Ministries concerned from India and Sri Lanka, the ferry service to Colombo from Tuticorin is expected to commence in two months.

Passenger reinforcements were heading for completion by December end. Adequate arrangements, including waiting room, counters for immigration, customs, cabins for officials and Port Health Officer and others were being made to ensure facilities for the passengers, G.J. Rao, Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, told The Hindu on Saturday.

Infrastructure facilities at the passenger terminal were being augmented at a cost of Rs.2 crore. Security gadgets were also included in the developments at the terminal. Screening apparatus were being established to monitor the proceedings under a scanner for increased surveillance.

A high level meeting was convened here on December 15 with associated agencies to assess the degree of preparedness. Officials from Immigration, Customs, Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Marine Police and the intelligence agencies attended the meeting. They extended cooperation to enhance security.

To a query, Mr. Rao said that the ship to be used for the service was expected to accommodate 500 passengers. As for journey time, it would take 12 hours to reach Colombo from Tuticorin. Five private agencies had come forward to operate the service. Representations to this effect had been made to the Shipping Corporation of India, Mr. Rao added.

Expectations are high among people on the transit between these two countries, the Hindu reports.