New Delhi, Aug. 29 -- As part of its wider plan to develop eco-friendly river tourism along the Hooghly, the West Bengal government, for the first time in the country's history, is going to introduce two 100-passenger hybrid-electric ferries.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has received work orders from the state Tourism department for constructing two hybrid diesel-electric ferries and two bailey bridges as well.
The 'Formal Work Order Handing Over' event was organised in the city. Speaking at the programme, Tourism minister Shankar Ghosh said on Saturday that the initiative would combine green mobility with the state's rich religious, cultural and colonial heritage, while generating employment and boosting local economies. Ghosh added that this is part of a wider plan to develop eco-friendly river tourism along the Hooghly and create an integrated tourism corridor linking Kolkata with major religious and heritage destinations.
Designed for efficient and eco-friendly inland water transportation, the vessels will achieve speeds of up to 9 knots in hybrid diesel-electric mode and 7 knots in fully electric mode. The ferries will each be 24 metres long and 8 metres wide, with a passenger capacity of 100 persons and a draft requirement of 1 metre.
"Equipped with advanced propulsion systems comprising batteries and diesel generators, the ferries will significantly reduce operational costs and carbon emissions while ensuring reliable performance in Indian inland waterways. The vessels will be classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and are expected to offer enhanced passenger comfort through lower noise and vibration levels," read a press statement issued by GRSE.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.