A modernised cruise terminal was inaugurated today at the Chennai port by KJ Alphons, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism. The terminal at West Quay IV covers an area of 2,880 sq m.

A press release from the Chennai Port Trust said that the passenger facilitation centre at WQ IV has been modernised with financial assistance of ₹17.24 crore under the Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development scheme, of the Tourism Ministry.

Facilities

The upgraded/proposed facilities include four escalators for embarking and disembarking passengers, heat ventilation, air-conditioning for the entire terminal, and ten immigration counters, with ten more planned.

An exclusive yacht parking, single window (integrated) clearance of Customs, Immigration and Security will also be provided, the release said.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to facilitate clearance of cruise vessels and passengers through all Indian ports has been prepared in consultation with Immigration, Customs, security agencies and other stakeholders.

Vessel charges have been standardised with the introduction of a uniform tariff of $0.35 per GRT for cruise vessel stay for 12 hours at any Indian port. The Ministry of Home Affairs has waived the requirement of biometric enrolment for cruise passengers arriving on e-visas till December 31, 2020 for five major ports of Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Mormugao and New Mangalore, the release said.

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