It’s also launching two more tourist services — the Vaikom-Palaikkari Matsyafed Aqua Tourism Centre, and a budget-friendly sunset cruise in Alappuzha next week. Kochi : The state water transport department (SWTD) will introduce its first solar-powered tourist boat from Ernakulam Boat Jetty to the popular Kadamakkudy island cluster on Monday.
“We will be deploying the 30-passenger vessel ‘SOURA-2’ in Ernakulam to conduct a sunset cruise to Kadamakkudy.
During the return journey, they can experience beautiful sunset views,” a senior SWTD official said. The solar boat will start from Ernakulam Jetty at 2pm to reach the popular tourist destination an hour later. The tourists can spend quality time at Kadamakkudy. The launch comes even as Kochi Water Metro aims to introduce specialised, tourist-focused services to Kadamakkudy.
Meanwhile, SWTD will launch another solar boat service from Vaikom to Palaikkari Matsyafed Aqua Tourism Centre on Oct 8. The package costs Rs 750 per person and includes a 90-minute scenic journey, entry fees, tea, snacks, lunch, canoeing and angling. Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) already operates daily tourist trips to Palaikkari from Kochi, with the ticket rates fixed at Rs 999 per person.