Chennai, Nov 3:
The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) has initiated preliminary groundwork to launch a dedicated coastal passenger ferry service connecting Chennai, the heritage town of Mamallapuram, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The maritime transit project is designed to unlock the tourism potential of the Coromandel coastline, alleviate vehicular congestion on the East Coast Road (ECR), and establish an eco-friendly marine travel corridor.
To assess commercial viability and operational logistics, the Board has floated an Expression of Interest inviting recommendations from domestic and international vessel operators. Maritime officials are seeking detailed industry feedback regarding passenger traffic projections, fare pricing structures, optimal vessel seating capacities, and proposed daily sailing frequencies before finalising the technical framework and floating a formal Request for Proposal (RFP).
Under the envisioned maritime network, catamarans or modern passenger ferries will operate along designated coastal routes, offering domestic and international tourists scenic ocean transit between major historical and leisure hubs. The project also entails developing landing jetties, passenger waiting terminals, ticketing counters, and navigational safety infrastructure at strategic landing points along the coastline.
The pre-bid consultation meeting for the integrated ferry initiative is officially scheduled for November 16, where technical stakeholders and prospective operators will review route alignments, jetty water depths, and environmental safety clearances. Maritime Board officials indicated that the initiative represents a broader push to revive sustainable passenger navigation across Tamil Nadu’s coastal waters.