|
|
The ferry service from shore to Vivekananda Rock Memorial
in Kanniyakumari was initially run by Vivekananda Kendra but the service was
discontinued in July 1981 following frequent disputes with local fishermen
over the dredging operation. Subsequently, the Sate Port Department took
over the operations from October, 1981. Later, as it was considered not
advisable for the Port Department, which is a regulatory authority to run a
ferry service, the State Government entrusted the operation of the ferry
service to PSC with effect from 1984.
The Company has been carrying on the operations since August, 1984 with two
motor launches viz. M.L. Tamiraparani and M.L. Bhagirathi, built in 1973 and
1976 respectively, which were transferred from State Port Department. As
these launches had become old, one new launch viz. M.L. Vivekananda at a
cost of Rs.39 lakhs (fully subsidized by Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism
through the Information and Tourism Department, Govt. of Tamilnadu) was
ordered and delivered in May, 1992. About 15 lakhs passengers are ferried
between Kanniyakumari Boat Jetty and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial by our
launches every year.
From 2nd October 2000, the ferry service has been extended to the “Ayyan
Thiruvalluvar Statue” and the fare has been revised from Rs.10.00 to
Rs.20.00 with effect from 14.12.2000. Out of this, an amount of Rs.5.00 per
adult ticket and Rs.2.50 per children ticket had to be paid to the Tamil
Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. as per Government’s directions. We
have provided some amenities to the convenience of tourists viz. permanent
passenger queue shed, toilet facilities etc.
On 26.12.2004, the destructive Tidal waves of “Tsunami” caused heavy damage
to two launches viz. M.L. Tamiraparani and M.L. Bhagirathi. M.L. Vivekananda
which had been built with financial assistance from Government of India,
Tourism Department, was washed away by the Tsunami Tidal Waves on
26.12.2004. for replacing the existing two ferries viz. M.L. Tamirparani and
M.L. Bhagirathi (30 years old), PSC has placed an order with M/s Kerala Shipping and
Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd. for design, Construction and supply of 2
Nos. self propelled Twin Screw passenger Ferries with seating capacity of
150 passengers. The two ferries were named as M.L. Guhan and M.L. Pothigai
respectively. M.L Guhan was inaugurated for the use of tourists on
08.06.2008 and M.L. Pothigai was inaugurated for the use of tourists on
19.10.2008.
|
|
