Mangaluru – Lakshadweep high-speed ferry launched, travelling time reduced by 5 hours

Lakshadweep islands are tempting many travel aficionados of late with their sky-blue waters and serene beaches. In a significant milestone that is envisaged to provide an impetus to the tourism sector, a high-speed ferry service has been launched, connecting Mangaluru with Lakshadweep. The ferry ‘Parali’ will reduce the travelling time by at least five hours. Around 16 passengers were ferried from Lakshadweep to the Old Port in Mangaluru on May 3 on an experimental basis. The vessel had reached its destination in just under seven hours, as compared to the earlier 13 hours.

Tourist liners coming soon
Meanwhile, the Lakshadweep Islands Tourism Development Authority which comes under the Ministry of Tourism is all set to start Mangaluru – Lakshadweep tourist liners after the trial runs. However, the authorities are sceptical about the monsoon season when the seas become choppy. To tackle it, the Lakshadweep Islands Tourism Development Authority has improved the facilities at the receiving point in the Kadmat Island which is the first port where the vessel from the main island would stop. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Lakshadweep at the beginning of this year and had also promoted it via his social media pages.

Indo-Arabic fusion culture
The ferry service would be the first step towards developing eco-tourism, educational tourism, health tourism and leisure tourism in the Western Ghats region. Lakshadweep is one of the least explored places in India. It is an archipelago of 36 islands sprawled in 32 square kilometres. Lakshadweep is a dream destination for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts and those who love a serene spot to enjoy their holidays. Snorkelling and diving are some of the water adventure activities that you could try in Lakshadweep. Interestingly, the archipelago displays a fabulous fusion of Indian and Arab cultures, which is quite palpable in their architecture, cuisine and art. Lakshadweep is the perfect place for those who wish to enjoy a quiet holiday in a serene destination, away from the bustle of the city.