Odisha Govt To Introduce Electric & Solar Powered Boats In Chilika Lake Soon

Tangi (Khurdha): The Odisha government is gearing up to operate solar and electric boats in Chilika Lake to transport passengers.

Reportedly, the first solar boat will run on a trial basis in the next three months. With the operation of this boat, the transportation cost will be reduced by Rs 7 lakh a year. If the trial is successful, solar boats will be operated on other waterways of the state also, officials said.

According to sources, emphasis will be laid on the use of technology along with safe travel on waterways. According to the new rules, one kind of boat will operate in water bodies across the state. The design of the boat has already been made. Trade with passengers will increase on the waterway with the operation of such boats, officials said.

Passenger boats will run in the sea, rivers and lakes. Discussions are underway on the new law involving boat owners, manufacturers, officials and policymakers.

Machine boats will be removed from Chilika and solar/electric-powered boats will replace them. Ornithologists, however, expressed doubts over the success of such a project.