The Nagapattinam Port in India’s Tamil Nadu state is set to introduce duty-free shops at its international passenger terminal, a move designed to enhance the passenger experience as ferry traffic between India and Sri Lanka continues to grow.
The development marks a shift toward commercialising the onshore infrastructure of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai route, which has seen a significant uptick in usage in recent months.
According to reports from Hindu Businessline, the port authority is actively inviting bids for duty-free retail and foreign-exchange concessions.
This commercial push aims to monetise the increasing footfall on the short-sea shipping link, transforming the terminal from a purely functional transit point into a revenue-generating hub.
The introduction of retail and forex services is expected to streamline the travel experience for passengers crossing the Palk Strait, reducing reliance on informal currency exchanges and boosting ancillary revenue for the port.
The expansion of services at Nagapattinam reflects broader efforts by Indian state authorities to leverage strategic maritime corridors for economic gain.