New Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka Ferry Service

October 18, 2023

The introduction of a new ferry service connecting Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka has left the residents of Lakshadweep feeling neglected and aggrieved. The launch of this service has exacerbated their longstanding transportation challenges, leaving them short-changed in terms of available passenger vessels for inter-island transport.

Transportation Woes for Lakshadweep Islanders

Lakshadweep residents had been advocating for additional passenger vessels to address their inter-island transportation needs.
Cheriyapani, a high-speed ferry with a capacity of 150 passengers, was previously operating within the island group.
Cheriyapani was redeployed for the new ferry service between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, leaving a significant void in inter-island ferry services within Lakshadweep.

Impact on Inter-Island Transport

Cheriyapani is signified as one of three high-speed vessels serving inter-island ferry routes and occasionally connecting to Kochi on the mainland.
The combined capacity of the three vessels was 450 passengers.
Currently, only Valiyapani and Parali remain in service, with a combined capacity of 300 passengers.
This reduction in ferry capacity is expected to exacerbate the existing transportation crisis faced by the islanders.

Challenges in Transport Infrastructure

High-speed ferries are crucial for reaching distant islands like Minicoy.
Apart from high-speed ferries, there are only three intra-island ferries, each capable of carrying 50 passengers.
However, these intra-island ferries are not authorized to operate between the islands and the mainland or to Minicoy.

Erratic Services to Kochi

Islanders have expressed dissatisfaction with the erratic services provided by the five ships connecting the island group to Kochi.
These ships have varying passenger capacities, with two designed for 250 passengers each, two for 400 passengers each, and one, mv Kavaratti, capable of accommodating 700 passengers.

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