The ferry service from Tuticorin in India to Colombo in Sri Lanka is ready to be revived after nearly two decades.

Private operators will ply ships capable of carrying up to 350 passengers on the route. The vessels match the standards set by the International Maritime Organisation, of which India is a signatory.

The eight-hour journey will cost Rs 1,750. Currently the cheapest way to get to Colombo from India is from Trivandrum by air and costs Rs 3,000.

So far only three operators have decided to ply this route. Viking Shipping, Chennai, Industrial Minerals India Private Ltd, Tuticorin, and GNKP Cruise Services, Colombo, will operate one vessel each.

The customs and immigration departments have already set up offices at Tuticorin port. Indians travelling to Sri Lanka will get their visas when they alight in Colombo, while that Lankans will have to apply with the Indian high commission in Colombo. The officials there have promised to process the applications quickly.

The Indian Overseas Bank has opened a counter at the passenger terminal in Tuticorin to provide foreign exchange. The port trust plans to invite tenders for more forex dealers. The trust has also put up an arrival and departure hall with all necessary amenities and a parking lot for 150 vehicles.

The state government has agreed to provide special buses to the railway station, bus terminus, and Tuticorin town. The port's deputy traffic manager, U Rajendran, said, "This ferry service might prompt the reopening ofnbsp;Tuticorin airport, which was closed for lack of passengers."

The Southern Railway general manager has assured the port trust of additional coaches in the Pearl City Express to Chennai and the express train to Bangalore for passengers coming from Colombo. The railways will also open a booking counter at the passenger terminal near the port.

The port trust chairman is also planning to ask the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to come out with a package tour for Sri Lankans after the date for beginning the ferry service is announced.

The service is awaiting the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The Union Cabinet too will have to give its approval.

There are 200,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps in Tamil Nadu who will benefit from this ferry service. A large number of Indian tourists wishing to visit the Emerald Isle will also benefit.