‘Bring back ferry service to tap Tamil Nadu tourism potential’

The vast coasts host numerous pilgrimage sites and once the long-awaited facility is created, it would host people of all faiths, according to R Edwin Samuel, vice president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thoothukudi.

Besides religious architecture in Madurai, Palani in Dindigul, Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar, Rameswaram in Ramnathapuram and others in Tiruchendur, Manapad and Thoothukudi, sites of historical interest, picturesque landscape and other travel destinations also exist along the coastal strip of the state that could host a large number of tourists.

“After spending a night at the sea side, tourists can take a tour of the sites of religious and historical interests with the help of travel agencies. Therefore, the introduction of the facility will provide a significant boost to the tourism industry,” Samuel told DT Next on Wednesday. 

Besides Manapad, a coastal village that offers scenic beauty, Kuttam, a village in Radhapuram taluk in Tirunelveli district that has a lighthouse, could become an entertaining tourist destination. If tourism is promoted in this region, it will attract major infrastructural developments, including hotels, and provide a major boost to the local economy, he said.

According to JP Joe Villavarayar, president, Thoothukudi Ship Agents Association, tourists were also looking forward to the ferry service between Thoothukudi and Colombo. There have been positive signs from the Sri Lankan government regarding the much-awaited ferry service that will help connect people from the two neighbouring countries, he said, adding that the two countries must develop an international convention on tourism to drive the economy.

In June 2011, the historic ferry service between Thoothukudi and Colombo was launched, however, a few months later, the service was suspended as the operators felt it was not commercially viable. A total of 201 passengers, including 80 goodwill ambassadors, boarded a nine-decked ‘Scotia Prince’ passenger vessel during the inaugural service. Initially, passengers were allowed to carry 100 kgs of cargo, which was later restricted to 30 kgs. The vessel also transported textiles, spices, dresses and oil. 

However, tourism faltered late after the restrictions were put in, Villavarayar recalled.

He also opined that the Shipping ministry could explore possibilities of resuming the Rameswaram- Talaimannar ferry service to further enhance relations with Sri Lanka. 

The 26 nautical mile voyage between the two destinations takes about four hours. 

Around 50 years ago, ferry service from Talaimannar to Dhanuskodi played a phenomenal role in boosting the tourism economy. However, it was discontinued after the onslaught of cyclone Dhanuskodi in 1964, he recounted. 

In the 20th century, the Boat Mail or Indo-Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) Express, a combined train and steamer ferry service used to connect India with the island nation. 

Tourists had to reach Dhanuskodi from Chennai (Egmore) by train and then take a ferry ship to Talaimannar. From there, the tourists had to take a train to reach Colombo, he said.

Rinkesh Roy, Chairman, VO Chidambaranar Port Trust, told DT Next that currently they are looking forward to ferry operators to launch the inter-coastal service from Thoothukudi to link Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari. 

“Plans were laid out under the ‘Sagarmala project’ and efforts were taken over the last seven months in this connection. Adequate infrastructure facilities were available at the port and additional facilities could also be established if required,” he said. 

However, since ferry operators did not come forward, the Shipping Corporation of India was approached for introducing the service, he added.