Ferry service to Sri Lanka flags off
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The much-awaited passenger ferry service from Tuticorin in South India to Colombo begins today with the 1,044-capacity Scotia Prince being flagged off.The service, a twice-a-week schedule initially, is expected to boost a cordial relations between Sri Lanka and India, Times of India said. The journey is expected to last 14 hours.Scotia Prince will have over 40 crew on board and about 25 ground staff to help with check-in procedures, immigration, custom procedures and baggage clearance.The facilities include 111 economy rooms, two special cabins for the physically challenged, 22 deluxe cabins with toilet, 169 deluxe cabins with shower and toilet, 11 first class cabins and two suites.According to the report, a single economy class berth will cost INR 2,243, a deluxe cabin INR 2,588, a super deluxe cabins INR 2,760 while a first class cabin will be priced at INR 10,350.With F&B facilities, the ship also has a casino, drive-in drive-out facility for cars and cargo vehicles, and a duty-free shop, among other facilities.P K Thimmayya, CEO of Flemingo Liners, was quoted saying that the demand for cruise travel in the country was gradually increasing and that the new service would improve tourism between India and Sri Lanka.A regular traveller quoted in the report said: “It is a relief to be able to travel to Colombo from Tuticorin for a cheap price. We now pay INR 5,000-15,000 as airfare to reach Colombo from Chennai or Coimbatore.”The report added that the new ferry service was expected to revive decades-old relations between traders in Colombo and the Tuticorin region.
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