India's first solar ferry 'Aditya' wins global honour

India's first solar-powered ferry, Aditya, that commenced operations three years ago in Kerala's Vembanad backwaters, has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating.

Kochi:In a proud moment for Kerala, Aditya, India's first solar-powered ferry, has been declared as the winner for this year's Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The award is instituted in memory of French electrical engineer and pioneer in electric cars and boats Gustave Trouvé.

It has been adjudged to be the world's best electric boat, under the category of paid electric ferry services, of all the shortlisted boats from across the world.

Owned by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) and built by Kerala-based startup NavAlt Solar and Electric Boats, Kochi, Aditya bagged the title after competing with the short-listed ferries from Europe, Singapore and other countries in the final round.

The country's first low-cost, eco-friendly solar boat has been ferrying commuters on the Vaikom-Thanvanakkadavu route, roughly 2.5 km on water, connecting Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala for the past three years.

Three years into ferry services in Kerala, Aditya, has clocked 70,000 kilometres on solar energy. With regular ferry services from Vaikkom Boat Jetty in Kottayam District to Thavankkadavu, Aditya has helped save at least Rs 25 lakhs for diesel expenses in a year, as it is powered by solar energy. It has also been able to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

With a capacity of seating 75 people, Aditya-built by the Kerala-based at a cost of Rs.2000 crore-needs Rs 180 per day as energy cost when compared to Rs 8000 required for a diesel ferry.

Taking a cue from this development, other states of India are thinking of taking up the concept to build such boats to promote eco-friendly travel.