THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Ports Minister Ahamed Devarkovil and Transport Minister Antony Raju on Thursday held talks with Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal seeking urgent action to start ship services to the Gulf to solve the travel problems faced by Malayali expatriates in the Gulf.

Minister Devarkovil said that the Union Minister stated that it has come to the notice of the Centre that airline companies are charging exorbitant fares during the festival season. The Union Minister assured that there will be full cooperation from the Centre to start the necessary steps to start ship services, Devarkovil added. Kerala Maritime Board Chairman N S Pillai, Ports Minister's Private Secretary P T Joy and Additional Private Secretary CP Anwar Sadath also participated in the discussion.

In September, Sarbananda Sonowal had announced in a discussion held with the Sharjah Indian Association office-bearers that the Centre would take a favourable to start ship services from the Gulf to Kerala.