The launch of a new ferry service between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka has the islanders of Lakshadweep feeling short-changed as it has further worsened their transportation woes.
The islanders had been clamouring for more passenger vessels for inter-island transport when Cheriyapani, a high-speed ferry with the capacity to carry 150 passengers, was taken out of service within the island group and launched for the ferry service connecting Sri Lanka.
“Cheriyapani,” according to Mohammed Faizal, who’s awaiting restoration of his Lok Sabha membership representing the Union Territory, “was one of the three high-speed vessels conducting inter-island ferry services besides occasionally conducting services to Kochi in the mainland. Together the three vessels had a capacity to ship 450 passengers. It’s just Valiyapani and Parali now, with a combined capacity of 300 passengers. This is sure to further aggravate the transportation crisis faced by the islanders”.
