The Tamil Nadu government is examining a passenger ferry service linking Chennai, Mamallapuram and Puducherry to promote coastal tourism and provide an alternative transport option along the east coast. The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) has invited expressions of interest from ferry operators to assess the project’s feasibility and gauge private-sector participation.

Prospective operators have been asked to recommend suitable vessels, passenger capacity, service frequency and likely demand for the route. Their responses will help TNMB evaluate the commercial and operational viability of the service before deciding whether to proceed.

The plan is intended to connect three major tourism destinations on the Bay of Bengal as an integrated coastal circuit. 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 central to the assessment.

Operators will also need to examine the route’s sea conditions during the southwest and northeast monsoons and recommend vessels capable of operating safely in the open waters of the Bay of Bengal. The number of days that vessels can operate each year, along with the competitiveness of sea travel against road transport, will also influence the project’s viability.

A key infrastructure challenge is the lack of a passenger-vessel berthing facility at Mamallapuram. New facilities would require statutory, environmental and heritage clearances because of the town’s importance as a heritage destination. Chennai Port has a cruise passenger terminal at West Quay of Dr Ambedkar Dock, covering 4,103 square metres and handling around 800 passengers an hour. It can accommodate vessels up to 340 metres long and with a 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 through the state e-procurement portal by December 1.