Solar boat service links Veli and Kadinamkulam in Kerala
A new passenger and tourism boat service has begun between Veli and Kadinamkulam Lake through the Parvathy Puthanar waterway. The State Water Transport department is operating a 24-seat solar-powered boat, with two daily services, regular passenger fares and a separate round-trip package for tourists.
A new passenger-cum-tourist boat service has been inaugurated between Veli and Kadinamkulam Lake through the Parvathy Puthanar waterway in Thiruvananthapuram. The service is operated by Kerala’s State Water Transport department using an eco-friendly solar-powered boat owned by Cochin International Airport Limited. The vessel has seating for 24 passengers.
Each one-way journey covers 14 kilometres and takes about two hours. Two services will initially run each day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
and from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. As part of the tourism service, passengers will disembark at the Kadinamkulam jetty for half an hour to view the lake.
On returning to the jetty, passengers choosing the tourist package will be served tea and food in collaboration with Kudumbashree. Regular fares are ₹50 from Veli to Channankara, ₹30 from Channankara to Kadinamkulam and ₹80 for a direct Veli-Kadinamkulam trip. The tourist round-trip fare from Veli to Kadinamkulam and back is ₹400.
Passengers older than 11 pay the full fare. Children aged between five and 11 pay half, while children below five travel free. Transport Minister C.P.
John inaugurated the service at Veli Tourism Village and travelled on the boat. He said Veli could develop into a major transport hub because of its proximity to air, rail, road and water networks. He also said it could become a central point on a tourism circuit from Kovalam to Varkala.
The Minister said development plans would be implemented after rehabilitation and development of the local fishing community. He also stressed the need to use existing waterways continuously to keep canals clean and maintained. The Parvathy Puthanar waterway, he said, dates back 202 years to the reign of Rani Parvathi Bayi of Travancore.
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