Chennai-Puducherry Ferry Plan Advances Coastal Tourism Proposal
Prospective operators have been asked to recommend suitable vessels, passenger capacity, service frequency and likely demand for the route. Their responses will help TNMB examine the project’s commercial and operational viability before deciding whether to advance the proposal.
The service is envisaged as an integrated coastal tourism circuit connecting three destinations on the Bay of Bengal. It would require coordination between the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments, port authorities and other regulatory agencies. Passenger demand, fares, journey times, operational reliability and seasonal fluctuations will be key factors in determining viability.
The route would pass through open waters where conditions vary during the southwest and northeast monsoons. TNMB has asked operators to assess the route’s operating environment and recommend vessels capable of handling prevailing sea conditions. The number of days the service could run annually and its competitiveness with road travel would also influence the assessment.
A significant infrastructure challenge is the lack of a passenger-vessel berthing facility at Mamallapuram. New facilities would require statutory, environmental and heritage clearances because the town is a major heritage destination. Chennai Port’s cruise passenger terminal at the West Quay of Dr Ambedkar Dock covers 4,103 square metres, handles around 800 passengers an hour and can accommodate vessels up to 340 metres long with a maximum draft of 11 metres. Puducherry Port has a 150-metre quay for vessels with a draft of up to 2 metres. Operators must submit responses by December 1 through the state e-procurement portal.