Kochi, 12th January 2017: NavAlt, a company based out of Kochi which is into design and manufacturing of solar and electric boats is honoured to announce the launch of ADITYA, the first solar ferry of India today.
The grand launch ceremony, inaugurated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister, will involve a formal reception attended by the MNRE Minister Piyush Goyal and State Transport Minister Shri A K Saseendran and including government ministers and members of parliament. During the reception, there will be a number of speeches by the present dignitaries and ride on the Solar ferry.
The service will run between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day. Ferries will depart every 10 minutes during morning and evening rush hours, and every 15 minutes off-peak, taking commuters from the one end to the other end.
Commenting on the launch ceremony Sandith Thandasherry, CEO, NavAlt Solar & Electric Boats, said: “I am delighted to announce the official launch of our new flagship vessel, Aditya, and look forward to commencing operations. “Aditya is a very impressive vessel and is just the first of what we expect to be a growing fleet of vessels. This ferry will be the first commercially viable mode of transport powered by solar energy in India. Over the next year or so we will be developing more and more solar ferry and will work with the Government and Ministry to identify and secure new landing sites so that the service expands, not only to provide additional crossings but also enabling a water taxi service between different landing stations around Kochi itself, providing a fast transit service to avoid traffic congestion. In addition, we will be looking to open up new routes around the coast and even to neighbouring cities.
ADITYA, the India’s first solar ferry has the capacity of 75 passengers, it’s maximum speed is 7.5 knots, there is no fossil fuel on board
