Vaikom, situated along the Vembanad backwaters in Kerala, is preparing to become India’s first fully energy-neutral boat station. The plan includes converting both passenger boat services and station operations entirely to solar power, eliminating diesel use from the jetty ecosystem.
The initiative supports Kerala’s broader efforts to integrate renewable energy into public transport and promote cleaner mobility solutions.
Final Phase of Diesel Replacement
On February 20, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar will flag off three new solar-powered boats, marking the final phase in removing diesel vessels from the Vaikom route.
At the same time, the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) will begin work to convert the jetty’s infrastructure to solar energy. Once the new vessels are operational, all scheduled services from Vaikom will run without fossil fuel dependence.
From Pilot Project to Full Conversion
The transition began in 2017 when the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) introduced Aditya, Kerala’s first solar-powered passenger boat, from the Vaikom jetty.
With the addition of the three new vessels, the conversion process is now complete. According to the SWTD, replacing a single diesel boat with a solar alternative can reduce nearly 40 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The shift is also expected to lower operational costs and reduce water pollution and noise levels.
Improved Battery Capacity and Faster Service
Each new solar boat has been built at a cost of ₹3.15 crore and is equipped with an upgraded 80 kWh battery system. The earlier model had a 50 kWh battery, limiting operating hours.
The vessels travel at an average speed of 10.8 km per hour and complete the Vaikom–Thavanakadavu route in around 15 minutes, about five minutes faster than diesel boats. Each boat can carry up to 75 passengers.
The higher battery capacity allows services to extend until nearly 9 pm, compared to earlier operations that were mostly limited between 7 am and 7 pm.
Solar-Powered Station Infrastructure
The transformation includes converting the Vaikom boat station into a fully solar-powered facility. Each boat is fitted with 20 kW solar panels, and shore-based charging systems are being installed.
Shaji V Nair, Director of the Department of Water Transport, said that once completed, all station activities, including lighting and charging, will operate on solar energy. The station conversion is estimated to cost around ₹30 lakh.
With this transition, Kerala’s inland waterway system may set a national benchmark for energy-neutral public transport.
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