Goa’s first electric-cum-solar ferry boat which was launched earlier this month will be operational before the start of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji. The Captain of Ports (CoP) has set a 15-day deadline to start operations of the unique ferry service which will ply from Panaji jetty to Chorao Island.

Specifications:

• The hybrid vessel – Will run on both Electricity (and also on Diesel when the batteries are low)
• Operational speed of 12 knots
• Capacity: 100 people (60 seated and 40 people standing).
• Ferry Cost: Rs 4Crores (approx) US$ 4,85,000/-
• Floating Jetty: Almost 10Crs which is 2.5 x the ferry’s cost.
• Project funded: By Inland Waterways Authority of India
• Ticket rates will be decided byRiver Navigation Department
• Will ply from Panaji jetty to Chorao Island.
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Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ferry service and floating jetty in presence of Union Minister for State for Tourism Shripad Naik and the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

While the solar ferry boat is built at an estimated cost of Rs 3.97 crore, the Floating Jetty project is around Rs 9.6 crore. Both the projects are funded by Inland Waterways Authority of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Sawant said that State will soon introduce more solar electric hybrid ferry boats on additional routes to reduce dependency on fossil fuel. He also said that plans are also to construct more floating jetties across State as and where required, to boost the inland infrastructure.