The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has set up a committee to firm up a comprehensive plan to begin ferry service between Karaikal Port in India and Kankesanthurai Port in Sri Lanka.
The Puducherry government has informed that King Lear has submitted a proposal regarding starting of ferry service between Karaikal Port and KKS Port.
The Puducherry government has been directed to obtain necessary clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant Central government organisations, wherever applicable.
The Union government has received a proposal from Puducherry government and the government of Sri Lanka on the commencement of passenger shipping between Karaikal, Puducherry and Kankesanthurai (KKS Port) Jaffna, Sri Lanka, under the provisions of memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2011.
To promote Inland Waterways in the country, 11 waterways have been declared as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act 2016, spread over 24 states in the country, which came into effect from 12 April 2016.