Aditya is a solar powered ferry that runs between Vaikom and Thawanakkadavu.
The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) will introduce more solar-powered vessels with varying passenger capacities as part of its plan to transition 50% of its passenger boat fleet to green energy. In the initial phase, two 30-seat craft will be launched in January 2025.
According to officials, the ships have successfully completed initial test runs. They will test another set under the supervision of the technical committee in the coming days. “Our plan is to launch two boats by mid-January after registering with the port department and obtaining the Indian Register of Shipping certification,” SWTD director Saji V. Nair says.
Although the specific route of the boat has not been decided, it is expected to operate on a route with less number of passengers and limited transportation facilities. SWTD plans to introduce 15 solar ships in the coming months. Each 30-seat craft costs around Rs 2 crore. In the next phase, ships with 75 and 100 passenger capacity will be launched. “We plan to operate one or two solar boats every month depending on availability of funds,” adds Mr. Nair.
Aditya’s success
The decision to convert 50% of ferries to solar power in five years was announced in the 2022-23 state budget. SWTD’s shift to green energy was inspired by the success of Aditya, a solar-powered ferry between Vaikom and Thawanakkadavu. Switching from diesel to solar will contribute to a cleaner environment while significantly reducing operating costs.
On an average, operating a diesel-powered boat costs the department Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per day. In contrast, the daily operating cost of a solar-powered boat is significantly lower at around ₹500. At present, the department transports passengers at subsidized rates, but the introduction of solar boats is expected to end the subsidy problem.
SWTD, operating around 60 passenger vessels, caters to the traffic needs of people in the water-prone areas of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kollam, Kannur and Kasaragod, transporting over 1.5 crore passengers annually.
published – December 19, 2024 at 06:51 pm IST