In an attempt to go green by bringing down use of fossil fuels, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) said all the 78 boats to be introduced as part of the Water Metro project would be solar powered. According to metro agency though the boats would have engines that run on fossil fuel it will primarily operate on solar power.
KMRL officials notified that they are pinning their hopes on an assurance provided by the state government to set up compressed natural gas (CNG) stations by the end of 2017. They also mentioned that only n case of an emergency will these boats depend on fossil fuel.
Officials with IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd (IOAGPL) which is the agency for supplying CNG and PNG (piped natural gas) said they were willing to lay pipelines provided they get to know about the areas where it is required.
When the matter of KMRL’s feeder servics was taken up with transport minister A K Saseendran he mentioned that as of now motor vehicle rules do not permit operations of vehicles depending on battery, solar and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and that they need to amend the act to facilitate operations of these vehicles. He also said the centre has promised to take it up by mid-November.
By Baishakhi Dutta
