PANAJI
Over two months after initiating the process to lease out the solar electric ferry boat St Pedro, the State government has handed over the vessel to a private agency at a monthly rental of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The River Navigation Department (RND) had earlier invited an Expression of Interest (EOI) from potential operators after the government’s own attempt to run the ferry service on the Panaji-Chodan route failed to attract commuters. “Since there was no response, the solar ferry boat remained shut. As a result, there was an electrical and battery problem. So the government decided to give it to a private agency and take rent,” RND Director Vikramsingh Raje Bhosale said.
The agency that won the tender will now undertake repair and maintenance work for about three months before resuming operations. “The government will get a monthly rental of Rs 1.5 lakh from the private agency,” Bhonsle added.
Two bidders had expressed interest in operating the vessel on a rental basis, with both proposals including the cost of necessary electrical repairs. The file was later submitted for government approval to proceed with the highest bid.
The St Pedro solar ferry, procured for Rs 3.9 crore, was in service for only three months before operations were halted as it remained underutilised and inability to accommodate two and four-wheelers.
