Alaratan Tripura: adding a page first draft.

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{{short description|Ferry connecting India and Sri Lanka}}
{{Infobox Water transit
| name = Cheriyapani
| image =
| image_size = 300px
| locale = [[Nagapattinam]], [[India]] and [[Kankesanthurai]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| waterway = [[Palk Strait]]
| transit_type = [[High-speed craft]] [[ferry]]
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2023|10|14}}
|system_length = {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}}
| lines =
| vessels = 1
| terminals = 2 ([[Tamil Nadu]], [[Northern Province (Sri Lanka)|Northern Province]])
| yearly_ridership =
| connection1 =
|train1 =
| bus1 =
| connection2 =
| ship2 =
| train2 =
| bus2 =
| operator = Tamil Nadu Maritime Board
}}

'''HSC Cheriyapani''' is a [[high-speed craft]] [[Passenger ship|passenger]] [[ferry]] that connects [[Nagapattinam]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]] with [[Kankesanthurai]] in the [[Jaffna District]] of [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Province]], [[Sri Lanka]]. The ferry commenced service on 14 October 2023.<ref>Laskar, Rezaul (14 October 2023). [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-sri-lanka-launch-ferry-service-across-palk-strait-after-four-decades-101697293597392.html "India, Sri Lanka launch ferry service across Palk Strait after four decades"]. [[Hindustan Times|The Hindustan Times]]. Retrieved on 18 October 2023.</ref> It is the first transit service connecting the two countries since the [[Boat Mail Express|Indo-Ceylon Express]], which ceased service to Sri Lanka in 1982 after the outbreak of the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref name="cnbc">CNBCTV18.com (14 October 2023). [https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/india-sri-lanka-resume-passenger-ferry-service-after-40-years-route-fare-and-timings-18051401.htm "India, Sri Lanka resume passenger ferry service after 40 years; route, fare and timings"]. [[CNBC TV18]]. Retrieved on 19 October 2023.</ref>

==History==
Sri Lanka's strategic location in the [[Indian Ocean]] has long attracted attention from regional rivals India and [[China]]. For years, [[Debt-trap diplomacy|free-flowing loans]] and infrastructure investments from China helped it gain an greater influence against India in partnerships with Sri Lanka.<ref name="cnbc" /><ref>Madanayaka, S. A. K. (2017). [http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/345/1728/021.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y "The Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka in Indian Ocean Region: Reference to String of Pearls Strategy"]. [[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

===Plans for an India-Sri Lanka ferry===
The plan for a ferry service connecting India and Sri Lanka was first proposed in 2011 when Sri Lanka was making efforts to alter its image following the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]]. At the time, two services were considered: one connecting [[Thoothukudi]] and [[Colombo]], and a second linking [[Rameswaram]] with [[Talaimannar]]. The two countries signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] for sea connectivity and established a ferry service between Thoothukudi and Colombo, which was discontinued after six months due to logistical issues.<ref>(18 October 2023). [https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/a-ferry-from-tamil-nadu-to-jaffna-once-again-8988023/ "A ferry from Tamil Nadu to Jaffna, once again"]. [[The Indian Express]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

In mid-July 2023, a virtual meeting was held between Indian Additional Secretary of the [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]] Rajesh Kumar Sinha, and Sri Lankan Secretary of the [[Ministry of Ports and Shipping (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation]] K. D. S. Ruwanchandra. The meeting, conducted under the India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee, discussed resuming ferry services between the two nations to boost regional trade, tourism, and stronger people-to-people relations in the region.<ref>PTI (18 July 2023). [https://www.deccanherald.com/world/india-sri-lanka-joint-committee-discusses-resumption-of-ferry-services-1238159.html "India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee discusses resumption of ferry services"]. [[Deccan Herald]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

A ferry service between the two countries previously existed via the [[Boat Mail Express|Indo-Ceylon Express]], which had express trains leading to and from a ferry boat that connected the Indian town of [[Dhanushkodi]] to [[Talaimannar]] in Sri Lanka. The transportation line collectively connected [[Chennai]] to [[Colombo]]. This service ran from 1914 up until 1982, when it was halted due to the increasing threat of the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]]. The [[Tamil Eelam|northern and eastern regions]] of the country were under the control of the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|LTTE]].<ref>Indian Railways Fan Club. [https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-seltrain.html "Famous Trains"]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

On 20 July 2023, [[President of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan President]] [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] made a diplomatic trip to India, during which he and [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] signed a series of energy, development, and trade agreements. The trip was meant to develop stronger ties between the two nations, as well as boost the economy of Sri Lanka, which was going through an [[Sri Lankan economic crisis (2019–present)|economic crisis]]. President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Modi unveiled agreements on technology, renewable energy, and greater connectivity designed to deepen bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.<ref>Pathi, Krutika (21 July 2023). [https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sri-lankan-presidents-visit-india-signals-growing-economic-101546672 "Sri Lankan president's visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties"]. [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref> Among things proposed during this visit were connecting the two nations' electricity grids, building a [[petroleum]] pipeline and land bridge between the two countries, as well as resuming the previously halted passenger ferry service. Prime Minister Modi stated that India was interested in connecting its ports in the [[South India|South]] to ports in Sri Lanka's [[Trincomalee]] and [[Colombo]].<ref>(21 July 2023). [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/21/india-sri-lanka-agree-to-boost-economic-and-energy-ties "India, Sri Lanka agree to boost economic and energy ties"]. [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

===Commencement of service===
The Cheriyapani ferry commenced service on 8:15am [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] on 14 October 2023, with 50 passengers and 12 crew members under Captain Biju George of India. The ferry service was initially planned to commence on 10 October, but underwent some administrative issues and had to be rescheduled for 12 October, and then 14 October. The first day of service had a ferry ticket price reduced by 75% to ₹2,375. At least 30 travelers had booked tickets for the first trip.<ref name="cnbc" />

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video statement on social media commemorating the start of the service, stating, “We are embarking on a new chapter in the diplomatic and economic relations between India and Sri Lanka. The launch of a ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is an important milestone in strengthening our relations.”<ref>Narendra Modi (13 October 2023). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9Qoas6nGw "PM Narendra Modi's message during flag off of ferry services between India and Sri Lanka"]. via [[YouTube]]. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

After being suspended for several months due to the [[Northeast monsoon]] and unspecified "technical difficulties", the ferry service resumed on 16 August 2024.<ref>https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240825/news/india-sri-lanka-ferry-service-helps-religious-and-business-visitors-568591.html</ref>

==Operations==
Cheriyapani travels from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai via the [[Palk Strait]]. Service is administered by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board in India. The trip takes 3–4 hours to complete depending on ocean conditions, and covers a distance of 110 km (68 mi). The ferry departs each location once per day, leaving Nagapattinam at 7am IST and arriving in Kankesanthurai around 11am. The return trip departs Sri Lanka at 1.30pm, arriving in India around 5.30pm. Each passenger is allowed a 40 kg (88 lb) baggage.<ref>Karki, Binayak (20 October 2023). [https://eturbonews.com/india-sri-lanka-passenger-ferry-restarted/ "India-Sri Lanka Passenger Ferry Restarted After 40 Years"]. eTurboNews. Retrieved on 20 October 2023.</ref>

===Fares===
The ferry ticket costs [[Indian rupee|₹]]7,670 (roughly US$90), which consists of a ₹6,500 base fare, plus an 18% [[Goods and Services Tax (India)|GST]].<ref name="cnbc" /> Online ticket sales are set to commence in January 2024. Until then, passengers phone ahead to reserve their tickets at least 24 hours in advance, and must send copies of their passports to the operator via [[WhatsApp]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New ferry service launched between India and Sri Lanka: Check out details on booking tickets, fare and more |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/outside-kerala/2023/10/14/nagapattinam-sri-lanka-kankesanturai-ferry-service-details-narendra-modi-jaishankar.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Improve categories|date=October 2023}}

[[Category:Ferry transport in India]]
[[Category:Ferry transport in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:India–Sri Lanka relations]]

HSC Cheriyapani - Revision history

Alaratan Tripura: adding a page first draft.