Coastal link proposed
Puducherry has been included in a proposed passenger ferry network that would connect the Union Territory with Chennai and Mamallapuram by sea, under a coastal tourism initiative planned by the Tamil Nadu government. The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has invited expressions of interest from eligible and experienced ferry operators to develop and run the service.
The proposal is intended to bring the three destinations into a single maritime tourism circuit. Chennai is the largest urban and port centre in the proposed route, Mamallapuram is recognised for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Puducherry remains a major tourist destination on the eastern coast. The plan places Puducherry within a wider travel circuit that combines the city’s coastal setting and cultural character with two destinations in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The proposal is intended to connect the three destinations by sea as part of an integrated coastal tourism circuit.
According to the Maritime Board, the proposed service would offer visitors a different way to travel along the coast. However, the available details do not specify a launch date, sailing frequency, ticket prices, vessel deployment or the likely duration of the journey. Those operational aspects would be determined after the selection of an operator and further development of the project.
Facilities at the proposed stops
The infrastructure available at each location is not uniform. Chennai already has an International Cruise Passenger Terminal on the western side of Chennai Port. The terminal covers about 4,103 square metres and can handle approximately 800 passengers an hour, according to the project details.
Mamallapuram does not currently have the port facilities needed for passenger boats to berth. The proposal therefore includes the creation of necessary coastal infrastructure at the site. Such work will require the relevant environmental and phytosanitary clearances before the facilities can be developed. The absence of an existing passenger-boat berth makes Mamallapuram the location where supporting infrastructure will have to be established before a regular service can operate.
| Location | Facility or status |
|---|---|
| Chennai | International Cruise Passenger Terminal; about 4,103 sq m; capacity of around 800 passengers per hour |
| Mamallapuram | Passenger-boat facilities are to be developed after required clearances |
| Puducherry | 150-metre dock; usable by boats with a draft of up to two metres |
Puducherry’s existing maritime facility
At Puducherry Port, a 150-metre dock is available for the proposed movement of passenger boats. The facility can accommodate vessels with a draft of up to two metres for arrival and departure. This gives Puducherry an identified point for receiving and sending boats if the service progresses beyond the bidding stage.
The Maritime Board has said interested companies must have experience operating boats carrying at least 50 passengers. Applicants are also required to have a minimum of three years’ experience in operating such services. The call for expressions of interest is aimed at identifying firms with the technical and operational background to undertake the proposed route.
Next stages
For Puducherry, the significance of the proposal will depend on the outcome of the operator-selection process, the completion of clearances and the readiness of supporting facilities, particularly at Mamallapuram. Until those stages are completed, the service remains a planned project rather than an operational transport option. If implemented, it would add a sea-based connection to existing travel links between Puducherry and destinations in Tamil Nadu, while placing the port within an organised coastal tourism plan.
- The proposed route would link Chennai, Mamallapuram and Puducherry.
- Puducherry Port has a 150-metre dock for boats with a draft of up to two metres.
- Operators must meet passenger-capacity and prior-experience requirements.
