India's first solar-powered catamaran-type ferry in Kochi

Kochi has begun to operate India's first solar-powered ferry and wants Central subsidy to procure 10 more of the solar-powered catamaran-type ferries for Kochi and Alappuzha. The 75-seater ferry was introduced into service a month ago in the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route and has provided impetus to the demand for solar-powered ferries in other routes.
The Centre had given 50 per cent subsidy for the vessel that cost approximately ₹2 crore.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 18 February 2017.

The normal subsidy of the center is 30% and, in view of the success, efforts are on to get 100% subsidy for the vessels proposed. Suitable changes could be incorporated in design, considering the difference in condition of water bodies in Kochi and Alappuzha because there is an acute shortages of ferries in these regions. Two partly air-conditioned ferries are under construction at two private yards at Aroor and these are expected to join the fleet shortly.
The daily operating cost of each ferry would be about ₹200 (equivalent to 20 units of power) as compared to ₹8,000 for conventional ferries. This would mean savings of approximately ₹2.5 lakh per vessel per month. Moreover, the solar ferry is more stable than regular ferries because of it has twin hulls and it weighs 17 tonnes as compared to 35 tonnes of other ferries.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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