Central Idea

PM Modi inaugurated an international, high-speed passenger ferry service in Palk Strait between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India, and Kankesanthurai, near Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

India-Sri Lanka Ferry

The service is operated by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and Shipping Corporation of India.
It will operate daily, covering the 60-nautical mile (110-km) journey in approximately 3.5 hours.
Passengers are entitled to a 50kg free baggage allowance.
The Indo-Ceylon Express or Board Mail used to operate between Chennai and Colombo via Thoothukudi port.
However, this was stopped in 1982 due to the civil war in the island country.

Location	Narrow water body separating Tamil Nadu, India, and Sri Lanka.
Name Origin	Named after Robert Palk, a British Raj-era governor of Madras Presidency (1755-1763).
Geographic Boundaries	Southern boundaries include Pamban Island (India), Adam’s Bridge (shoals), Gulf of Mannar, and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
Connection	Connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Gulf of Mannar in the southwest.
Alternate Name	Southwestern part of the strait is known as Palk Bay.
Dimensions	Width varies from 40 to 85 miles (64 to 137 km), length is approximately 85 miles, and depth is less than 330 feet (100 meters).
River Inflows	Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu flow into the Palk Strait.