NAGAPATTINAM/KANKESANTHURAI – A newly launched ferry service between India and Sri Lanka is being hailed as a bridge between the two countries, with tourists acting as informal ambassadors for cross-border connections.
Since its launch in August, the Shivagangai ferry has been transporting an average of 100 passengers several times a week between Nagapattinam, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and Kankesanthurai, in northern Sri Lanka. The service has sparked excitement among travelers and locals alike, highlighting the potential for fostering stronger cultural and economic ties.
The ferry, which covers the short distance across the strait dividing the two nations, has quickly become a symbol of renewed cooperation and connectivity. Tourists from both sides of the border have praised the service for making travel more convenient, affordable, and efficient, while local businesses anticipate an increase in trade and tourism.
With each journey, the Shivagangai ferry carries the promise of enhanced people-to-people exchanges, historical reconnections, and the strengthening of bilateral relations. This new route is expected to further solidify bonds between the two countries, while also creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth.