Kochi Push for Cleaner Ferries

KOCHI ( Metro Rail News): The Varapuzha Panchayat requested the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) to replace diesel boats with solar or electric powered vessels in ,busy Ernakulam-Varapuzha section.The request aims to cut pollution in Kochi’s backwaters.

The Ernakulam-Varapuzha route sees heavy traffic during morning and evening peak hours. Students and local commuters rely on these ferries every day. Diesel boats on this route add to air and water pollution.

According to data from Kochi Water Metro / SWTD (2024), and the IMO Fourth GHG Study (2020), A diesel ferry emits about 140g of carbon dioxide and 1.2g to 1.8g of nitrogen oxides per passenger per kilometre. Meanwhile an electric ferry emits only 21.6g of carbon dioxide and zero nitrogen oxides per passenger per kilometre. Switching to electric or solar boats would significantly reduce emissions on this popular route.

Most boats in Kochi’s waters still run on diesel.SWTD operates eight vessels including a rescue boat and KSINC (Kerala Shipping &Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd) operates 17 vessels including a luxury cruise and over 350 private vessels are running in conventional diseal. There is only one solar-diseal hybrid vessel called Sooryamshu , operated under KSINC.

In 2017, SWTD launched India’s first solar passenger ferry, Aditya, on the calm Vaikom–Thavanakkadavu route. However, it faced limitations that made it less suitable for busier waters like Kochi’s.

After discussion on  the panchayat letter at the SWTD meeting, the agency is now planning structural changes and new boats designed specifically for Kochi’s conditions. Nishijith K. Jhon, Managing Director of Neo Classic Cruises, told Economic Times Infra:“We are planning to introduce four electric vessels in our fleet. Earlier the cost of the battery and other components were high but now it has come down. The construction of our four vessels will begin in three months.”

Replacing diesel ferries with electric or solar-powered ones on the Ernakulam-Varapuzha section could make Kochi’s backwaters cleaner and healthier for daily passengers. The move supports lower emissions and a more sustainable water transport system in the city.

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