Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October

Kerala Government will introduce a new water transport service called Water Taxi in the state. These are essentially ten-seater boats that can be used by the public to commute from one place to another inside the city.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

The Water Taxis service will be introduced in a phase-wise manner across Kerala starting with Alappuzha backwaters from October. Initially, the new service will be deployed with four boats serving the customers across the district.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) had stated that it has conducted a feasibility study for the implementation of the new Water Taxi service. The four boats ordered by the government will be powered by diesel engines.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

Shaji V Nair, Director, SWTD, said, "Just like taxis on roads, these boats will be available for the public. They can call on a specific phone number and the boat will pick them up and drop them at their destination. The tariff will be on a per-hour basis and will be reasonable."

"It's a Catamaran diesel-powered boat with comfortable seating capacity for 10 people. It will have a speed of 15 nautical miles per hour and can therefore take commuters quickly to their destinations," he added.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

The ‘Water Taxis' will not have a fixed route to operate. It will be associated with a boat station and can be hailed from anywhere. SWTD plans to introduce first of the four boats by the first week of October in Alappuzha. The location of the other three boats hasn't been decided yet.

The tariff for the service is yet to be decided by the government and will be announced closer to the start date for the service. However, the official has stated that it will be reasonable compared to other forms of public transport.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

The boats used for the service are being built by Navgathi, a Kochi-based firm that gave India its first solar ferry Aditya. The solar ferry was awarded as the world's best electric boat as part of the Gustave Trouve awards this year.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

According to the officials, new boats used in the Water Taxi service will be using relatively less fuel due to an efficient engine. The boats are built in fibre with an efficient design in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption. As a result, the boats will only burn 30 litres per hour at full speeds, which is at 35kmph.

The boats will also feature an advanced electric power steering system along with a solar panel powered auxiliary unit, both of which are developed in-house by the company's research wing.

Kerala To Introduce Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October: Details

Thoughts About Kerala Introducing Water Taxi Boats In Alappuzha Backwater From October

Waterways can be an alternate form of transport, that can clear clogged up roads. The new Water Taxi service that will be introduced in Kerala is a unique and convenient service for the public to travel inside the city hassle-free. With no traffic jams or signals, the commute will also be peaceful.

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Article Published On: Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 19:55 [IST]
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