Ferry to India ‘delayed’ again

Ferry services between South India and Sri Lanka will not be resumed on Tuesday as planned. The ferry that sailed between Tutucorin and Colombo was suspended decades ago due to the war in Sri Lanka.

A. Subbiah, Chairman of Tuticorin Port Trust told the BBC Tamil Service that the arrangements for the start of the ferry service have not yet been finalised

Not ready for two more weeks

He says the port would not be ready for another two weeks.

“In another 15 days all works relating to the start of the Ferry service will be over and work in that regard is going on in full swing”. The Chairman told the BBC.

Initially it was decided that the service would commence on 10th May 2011.

The delay is due to certain reasons like installation of X-ray equipment for screening of passengers and their luggage and installation of security equipment.

Infrastructure delays

The Chairman says the development of infrastructure was also delayed.

“Improving the roads leading from the port to the Tuticorin railway station and the bus station are still under repair”, says Subbiah.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports and Aviation said the ferry services between the Colombo harbour and the Indian port of Tuticorin is to begin with a voyage on Tuesday from India.

The service was scheduled to resume in February this year but got delayed due to technical difficulties and later postponed when India sent one of its ferry service vessels to evacuate the Indians and Sri Lankans stranded in Libya.

The 152- nautical mile journey between Colombo and Tuticorin is expected to take 10-12 hours, BBC reports.