4 days ago
West Bengal Plans Hybrid-Electric River Tourism Along Hooghly
West Bengal wants to develop river tourism on the Hooghly River.
It has obtained two boats that can carry 100 passengers each.
The boats use batteries and solar panels instead of relying only on conventional fuel.
The government hopes to connect Kolkata with religious and historic places by water.
The planned route is being called “Little Europe by the Ganges.”
It could include places such as Dakshineswar, Belur Math and Mayapur.
New charging stations and jetties are planned along the route.
Officials say the project could create jobs for boatmen, vendors, guides and hospitality workers.
They also want the waterways to help local trade and connect remote communities.
West Bengal has procured two 100-passenger hybrid-electric ferries from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
The catamaran vessels use lithium-ion battery propulsion, solar panels, emergency backup and safety equipment.
The proposed “Little Europe by the Ganges” corridor would connect Babughat with Mayapur.
Planned stops include religious sites and colonial heritage locations across Barrackpore, Serampore, Chandannagar and Bandel.
Charging stations and new jetties are proposed to support tourism, employment and local economic activity.
- Who
- The West Bengal Tourism Development Department, Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers are involved.
- What
- West Bengal has procured two hybrid-electric ferries and proposed an integrated river-tourism corridor along the Hooghly.
- Where
- The planned network would operate along the Hooghly, linking Babughat and Mayapur and extending to several religious and heritage destinations.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday; no specific date was provided.
- Why
- The project aims to promote eco-friendly tourism, preserve heritage, create employment, strengthen local economies and improve inland-waterway connectivity.
Key facts
- Ferries
- Two hybrid-electric ferries, each designed to carry 100 passengers
- Builder
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
- Vessel design
- Twin-hull catamarans with lithium-ion battery propulsion
- Environmental features
- Solar-panel integration and planned charging stations
- Proposed corridor
- A route from Babughat to Mayapur described as “Little Europe by the Ganges”
- Planned charging locations
- Barrackpore, Srirampore, Chandannagar and Hooghly
- Proposed jetties
- Kolkata, Barrackpore, Srirampore, Chandannagar, Hooghly, Ambika Kalna, Matiara, Nadia and Baranagar
Quotes
Shankar Ghosh
West Bengal Tourism Minister
“River tourism can become a crucial catalyst for regional economic growth, generating direct and indirect employment for local boatmen, vendors, heritage guides and hospitality operators along the Ganges banks.”
thestatesman.com
“River tourism played a very important role in the developed nations. Unfortunately, in our state, this sector was never explored properly, and the initiatives were almost nil.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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