World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Nagapattinam-KKS ferry crosses 55,000 passenger milestone
The passenger ferry service connecting India's Nagapattinam port with Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka has carried over 55,000 travellers since commencing operations two-and-a-half years ago. The operator has announced fare reductions and expanded baggage allowances to boost ridership on the cross-strait route.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The ferry service linking Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Kankesanthurai (KKS) on Sri Lanka's Jaffna Peninsula has emerged as a significant transport corridor between the two nations, with cumulative passenger numbers now exceeding 55,310 since launching operations in mid-2021.
The route has attracted travellers undertaking religious pilgrimages, tourism activities, and business engagements across the Palk Strait. The relatively short sailing distance—approximately 60 kilometres—has positioned the ferry as a faster alternative to longer maritime routes connecting the Indian subcontinent with Sri Lanka.
In a bid to increase utilization and market penetration, the ferry operator has implemented cost-cutting measures including reduced ticket fares and an enhanced free baggage allowance for passengers. These operational adjustments suggest the service is moving toward greater commercial competitiveness while expanding accessibility to cross-border travel.
The sustained operation of the Nagapattinam-KKS ferry reflects growing people-to-people connectivity between the two countries and demonstrates demand for efficient maritime transport alternatives in the region. Continued passenger growth and service improvements are expected to strengthen the route's position as a key transit corridor for the Indian Ocean littoral.