Govt’s solar-powered boat service to begin on Jan 12

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala will script a new chapter in its transport sector when a solar-powered boat will start its first service from Vaikom in Kottayam district, about 180 kms from here, on January 12.

"The solar powered boat would conduct its first service with 75 passengers on January 12 from Vaikom to a place near Kochi, State Transport Minister A K Saseendran told reporters here Tuesday.

The service will be offered as part of the state government’s initiative to shift from diesel and petrol to other sources of energy, inorder to curb growing environment pollution, Saseendran noted.

Similarly, the government also plans to switch to CNG and LNG run vehicles in the state, he said.

Stating that infrastructure development was one of the main focus of the CPI-M led LDF government, Saseendran said an integrated transport system would be developed in Kochi, soon.

As part of the proposed project, the Kochi metro, road and water transport systems in the city would be integrated, he said.