India’s first solar-powered tourist boat launched by KSINC

Current Affairs

  • Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) has launched a solar-powered tourist boat called Sooryamshu that can produce 27 KW of energy.
  • The boat also comes equipped with generators, which will help power passenger lift systems and air-conditioners.
  • Sooryamshu’s solar panels have the capacity to produce 27 KW of energy and it has generators which will enable operation of passenger lift systems and air-conditioners.
  • About 75 per cent of the vessel’s energy needs will be met with what is generated by the solar panels while the remaining will come from the generators.
  • Built at a cost of Rs.3.95 crores at a facility in Sri Lanka, KSINC plans to use it for two tour packages.
  • The first one is the Kadamakkudy package that will offer tourists sightseeing and kayaking at a cost of Rs.799. Kadamakkudy is a cluster of 14 islands located less than 10 kilometres from Kochi city.
  • However, the Kadamakkudy package will be delayed due to the Kerala State Electricity Board’s low-lying cables which will hinder the boat’s smooth passage on some parts of the route.
  • KSINC’s Managing Director, R. Girija, stated that they are working with the Board officials to resolve the issue.
  • KSINC’s other tourist boats, namely, Nefertiti, Sagar Rani-1, and Sagar Rani-2 are already conducting cruises in collaboration with Kerala State Road Transport Corporation’s budget tourism packages.

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