Cusat expert slams solar boat plan

Kochi: CUSAT Shipping Technology expert S K Pyarilal has come out against the Kerala State Water Transport Department's ambitious project to operate a solar-powered boat between Tavanakadavu near Cherthala and Vaikom, a 4-km stretch.

This, even as an expert team from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) had earlier given its nod during a feasibility study.

“As per the Rs 2 crore project, they are planning a boat with a passenger capacity of 75 persons.

However, the RTI query says the solar panels could produce only 16 kilowatts, which is grossly inadequate. The boat risks being swept away by undercurrents into the shallow waters, towards Tannirmukkam bund,” said Pyarilal, associate professor, Shipping Technology department.

He also claimed that the current speed planned is only five knots. “The water current itself is five knots and the said channel is one which experiences wind.

Based on the RTI details, I’ve written to the authorities concerned to redesign the project, taking these factors into account, or else a Thekkady-like boat disaster is looming large,” he said.

Following the charges, the two-member expert team is all set to conduct a spot study next week. “The CUSAT team will visit the spot and conduct the required study.

They will then submit a report within a month based on which we would take a decision,” said Shaji V Nair, STWD Director.