Alapuzha Water Taxi

The first water taxi service in India[3] began operations in Alapuzha from 15th October, 2020. The service was inaugurated by Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala in the presence of Sri. A.K. Saseendran, Transport Minister of Kerala, and various other dignitaries. The boat is named Thejus 1 and is the first boat under Nirva Series built by Navgathi.[4][5]

History
India
Name: Thejus 1 (Nirva Series)
Owner: Kerala State Water Transport Department
Operator: Kerala State Water Transport Department
Port of registry: Kodungallur
Route: Alapuzha
Builder: Navgathi Marine, Kochi, India
Cost: ₹70 Lakhs
Yard number: Y-20
Launched: 25 September 2020
Completed: September 2020
In service: 15 October 2020
Status: In service
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: Indian Register of Shipping IRS +IW ZONE 3
Displacement: 6 tonnes
Length: 8.5 m
Beam: 3.81 m
Height: 3.2 m
Draft: 0.5 m
Depth: 1.2 m
Decks: Single
Propulsion: 1 × 175 hp Diesel OBM
Speed:
  • 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) (max)
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) (cruising)
Capacity: 10 passengers
Crew: 2
Notes: 1 kW Solar panels, ECN 3600 Electric Steering[2] (Navgathi)

Earlier, multiples states had announced plans for water taxis - Goa (2019),[6] Delhi (2019),[7] Mumbai (2019),[8][9] Assam (2018)[10] and West Bengal (2017)[11].However, at the time of inauguration of Alapuzha Water Taxi service in Kerala, none of the above planned service had commenced operations.

Service

The water taxi service is available as on-demand to any person around Vembanad lake in Alapuzha and Kottayam districts. The booking is currently in sets of 30 minutes at a rate of 750 rupees per set. The boat service is currently available between 7 am and 7 pm. The commuters who took the ride after the inauguration had shared a nice experience of the service.[12]

Booking number - +91 94000 50325 / +91 94000 50322

Technical features
  • Catamaran hull form ensures low resistance and better stability during operations
  • Built under IR class. The highest standard for inland water operation
  • Electric steering for high performance and response. Easy to install and maintain as opposed to hydraulic steering
  • Solar panels for auxiliary loads reduce the OPEX for the client.
  • High efficient, best in class, diesel OBM for propulsion.
  • CIPS batteries for auxiliary energy storage produced by solar power. Shore charging facility available when the sun is not available.

Safety features
  • The boat is a catamaran and hence more stable than single-hulled boats. The boat can safely carry twice its capacity and still be safe.

References
  1. "Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Navgathi.
  2. "Electric Steering". Navgathi.
  3. "Country's first water taxis to ply in Alappuzha from October". Manorama News. 12 September 2020.
  4. "Kerala launches water taxi service in the backwaters of Alappuzha". ANI News. 18 October 2020.
  5. "Navgathi Marine Design and Constructions". Navgathi.
  6. "Goa to start water taxi services soon". The Hindu. 25 July 2019.
  7. "Delhi to get Water Taxis soon". Zee Biz. 27 June 2019.
  8. "Mumbai To Soon Get Water Taxis". Travel Trends Today. 4 November 2019.
  9. "Uber Launches Water Taxi Service in Mumbai". Iam renew. 31 January 2019.
  10. "Ola inks MOU with government of Assam to pilot app-based river taxi service". Economic Times. 4 February 2018.
  11. "ibg news". Water Taxi service to connect Haldia to Farakka. 17 April 2017.
  12. "ALAPPUZHA WATER TAXI". Rubi and Ejaz. 23 October 2020.
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