The State government has plans to start solar ferryboats in the State and has proposed two routes -- Savordem-Panaji and Aldona-Panaji -- on a trial basis.
PANAJI
This was stated by Transport minister Sudin Dhavalikar during his visit to Kerala on Thursday, where he experienced a ride in India's first solar ferry boat ‘Aditya', which operates between Vaikom and Thavanakkadavu connecting Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala.
According to reports, Dhavalikar was accompanied by Captain of Ports James Braganza, RND Senior Superintendent Vikram Singh Raje Bhonsle and other officials, where they were given a detailed presentation and an hour-long demonstration of the solar ferryboat, which also runs on electricity as backup.
The minister also interacted with the boat manufacturers, NavAlt Pvt Ltd from Kochi.
Later speaking to media persons, Dhavalikar said he had plans to launch solar boats for tourism and ferry services in the State.
The solar ferryboats are proposed to be plied along the Savordem-Panaji and Aldona-Panaji on a trial basis and commuters are expected to be charged for the service.
The solar-powered boat is a recent service and was launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in January.
According to a PIB report, the solar powered boat can perform a journey for 5-6 hours on normal sunny days.
The 75-seater ‘Aditya' solar-powered boat is 20 metres long and 3.7 metres height. Another significant feature is that the ferry is manufactured out of fibre glass instead of wood or steal. As many as 78 Solar panels are fixed on the roof of the boat and it produces solar power and the electricity produced from the solar panel connected with two electric motors of 20kW, one in each hull.
The boat is also fixed with 700 kg of lithium-ion batteries in the two hulls which can store a total capacity of 50 kWh. The design of the hull shaped in such a way which keeps the boat reach speeds up to 7.5 knots/hr. The normal operating speed is 5.5 knots (10 km/h) to cover a 15 minutes travel time between Vaikom and Thavanakkadavu, a distance of 2.5 km on water.
Another major feature is that it cruises with minimal vibration compared to normal diesel ferries.
Though it has a higher initial cost, a solar-powered boat works out to be a cheaper option.
While an ordinary boat made of steel and with a carrying capacity of 75 passengers may cost around Rs 1.9 crore, the solar ferry costs Rs. 2.53 crore.
A conventional boat consumes 120 litres oil per day (12 litres per hour), or 3,500 litres per month and 42,000 litres per year of diesel. This amounts to Rs 26.55 lakh for diesel (@ Rs. 63.32/litre) and total operating costs including lube oil and other maintenance costs amounts to Rs. 30.37 lakh per year.
On the other hand, the operating cost of solar ferry is 40 units of electricity or Rs 422.13 per day which amounts to Rs 12,596 per month and Rs 1.5 lakhs per year. Solar powered ferries make no noise or cause any pollution, unlike the diesel powered ones, the PIB report added.
