Kerala¡¯s first?water taxi service has finally been launched in the backwaters of Alappuzha?to ferry passengers. A video of the boat travelling at quite a speed in the waters in going viral.?
The video was shared by ANI with the caption, ¡®Kerala: State's first water taxi service, launched in the backwaters of Alappuzha, ferries passengers.Catamaran diesel-powered craft, with seating capacity for 10 passengers, is 1st in a series of 4 boats, that State Water Transport Department is planning to introduce¡¯.
The ¡®boat taxi¡¯ can carry upto 10 people at a time. The one in the video is the first of the four solar-powered water taxis that the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is planning to introduce in Kerala.?
The government believes that the water-taxi might help boost tourism that like every other place has taken a hit because of the pandemic.?
Benny, the helmsman of the boat is excited to be a part of the crew of state's first water taxi. "The boat has a power steering and I am happy to have got selected for the service. I think the water taxi will definitely boost the tourism sector in the Kuttanad region," he said.
Speaking to ANI, Sandith Thandasherry, CEO of Navgathi Marine Design and Constructions Private Ltd., which built the country's first solar ferry, Aditya, said that the water taxi was able to cruise at a maximum speed of 30 km per hour in the trial run.?
?"It is unique in two aspects. One in terms of service. Multiple state governments have announced starting water taxis in the past, it has been launched in Kerala now. About the boat itself, it's a catamaran high-speed boat. All electrical machinery is powered by the sun. All auxiliary loads are powered by solar panels," he said.
A few months ago India's first solar ferry Aditya built by Navgathi, a Kochi-based firm won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The boats have been made by the same company that built Aditya.?
This means that next time you visit the backwaters you will be able to hire a water-taxi that will ferry you to whatever place you want to go to!?
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