Fleet of Solar Ferries to be Introduced in Saryu River in Ayodhya, UP

The Saryu River in the holy city of Ayodhya will soon witness an amalgamation of pilgrimage, tourism and clean energy. The Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) is planning the deployment of 10 solar ferries that will help the tourism in the city and take pilgrims on local voyages.

The solar-powered ferries are a part of the overall upgradation through quality infrastructure development by ADA in Ayodhya. According to reports, the solar ferries will be employed with GPS navigation systems. Their maximum speed would be 10 knots and they could carry 6 to 50 individuals at a time.

Each ferry will have solar panels installed on its roof. There will also be waterproofing of the lithium batteries.

Fire extinguishers, first-aid box and mooring arrangement will also feature in the solar ferries to eliminate accidents and unwanted mishap. ADA will also apply for a class compliance certificate and also a certificate from the Indian Register of Shipping.

The agency operating the solar ferries will get a minimum tenure of five years. They will also have the option of extending the MoU to 15 years.

As per reports, Vishal Singh, who is the Vice-Chairman of the ADA, stated that official bids have already been floated and the plan is that the agency will operate a fleet of 10 ferries.

There are reports of some resentment among the existing boatmen or boat operators on Saryu river whose livelihood may be affected by the solar ferries. ADA has assured them that their livelihood will not be impacted and the deployment of solar ferries will mean job opportunities for local people.

In September, 2020, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked the state officials to explore the possibility of developing Ayodhya as a ‘solar city.’

Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022 had set its sights on generating 16,000 MW of renewable power by 2026-27 and also build 20 cities with 10 lakh households into ‘solar cities.’ Ayodhya is one of the cities that would be solarised as per the Policy.

Gujarat’s Modhera has been solarised completely recently. MNRE had also issued guidelines for 100 percent solarisation of Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.