Solar & Electric Boats To Carry Passengers In Chilika Lake

The state government of Odisha is mulling to introduce solar and electric boats as modern means of transport in the Chilika Lake for the transportation of passengers, thereby replacing machine boats. According to sources, the government will run the first solar boat in Chilika on trials for the first three months.

If the trail is successful, the government may also introduce solar and electric boats to other waterways of Odisha. The transportation cost, with the plying of solar and electric boats, is expected to be reduced by Rs 7 lakh per year.

According to reports, this will also be the first time in 19 years that new Boat Rules will be formulated with the coming of the electric and solar boats. The fishermen community has welcomed this development. They expect the new boat rules to be made on the lines of the central rules and the new rules are expected to be out in around two months from here. New rules are being discussed in the government that involve boat owners, boat makers, policy makers and officials.

The government wants technology and safe travel to be priorities in introducing solar boats. The new rules will also mean that one type of solar or electric boat will be running on all waterways or water bodies of the state. As per reports, the design of the solar boat is ready and the state officials believe that passenger transportation will swell on the waterway when such solar and electric boats are put to play.

Similar Experiments In Other Parts

A ‘sun cruise’ was recently introduced at the Peruvannamuzhi ecotourism spot in Kozhikode district of Kerala. Two solar-powered boats were allowed on the reservoir to promote the culture of cruising among tourists.

Similarly, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Muziris Heritage Project Ltd. for using its solar boats for the tours conducted in Kochi-Muziris heritage tourism circuit.