Minister for Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu was speaking to reporters after visiting Synergy Shipyard at Goa
| Photo Credit: SRINATH M
Minister for Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu on Tuesday, said that tourists in Kanniyakumari will soon be able to use one new ferry to visit the Tiruvalluvar statue. Speaking to reporters after visiting Synergy Shipyard at Goa where three ferries are being built for use at Kanniyakumari at a cost of Rs. 11.50 crore, he said that the sea trial of the ferry named after former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj is to be held shortly.
“We expect it to be delivered at Kanniyakumari by this month-end,” he added. Each ferry will have a capacity of 150 passengers and will be provided with advanced safety features.
Chief Minister M.K.Stalin had announced in December 2024 during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Tiruvalluvar statue that three new ferries would be procured for use of tourists and they would be named after K. Kamaraj, G. U. Pope and Marshal Nesamony.
The ferries are being procured with funds from the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board. The Minister was accompanied by Secretary, Highways Department R. Selvaraj and Vice- Chairman and CEO of the Board, T. N. Venkatesh. At present, five ferries – three purchased in 2008-10 and two in 2020 are operating in Kanniyakumari.
Published – February 04, 2026 05:30 am IST
