Ferry ride from Kerala to Maldives is on the cards

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There will soon be a ferry service connecting India to Maldives. Recently, India and Maldives agreed to launch a ferry service connecting the two countries when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solihstressed on the need to improve connectivity between the two countries.

Both the leaders have directed officials to expedite works toward starting a regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry service between Kochi in Kerala and Maldivian capital Male via Kulhudhuffushi atoll. Both the countries have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the said purpose of starting ferry services between the countries. The said plan was announced when PM Modi was on a two-day state visit to the Maldives. This move is looked upon as an initiative to boost tourism and improve connectivity between the countries.

Reportedly, the distance between Male and Kochi is around 700 km, whereas distance between Kochi and Kulhudhuffushi atoll is 500 km.

Maldives is one of the most favourite holiday destinations for Indian tourists, whereas India is also becoming the fastest developing market for Maldivian tourism, which registered an increase of 86 per cent of tourist footfall from India within a span of one year. Thus, the new initiative is likely to benefit both India and Maldives.

The aim of the ferry is to improve connectivity between the countries. While details on when the project will be completed are hazy, both Prime Minister Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have instructed officials to start work promptly. It is believed that the transit time between Kochi and Maldives on a modern-day ferry is 24 hours.

As of now, Indigo Airlines offers a 2-hour-30-minute flight from Mumbai to Malé and 1-hour-40-minute flight from Kochi to Malé.