Thiruvananthapuram: A solar-powered boat service connecting Veli and Kadinamkulam will be launched on Wednesday, offering a new transport and tourism option for commuters and visitors to the state capital.Transport minister C P John will inaugurate the service, which will operate from the boat jetty at Veli Tourist Village and cover the Kadinamkulam backwaters before returning to Veli. The service is planned to have two trips a day, though only one service will operate initially. A solar boat, rented from Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial), with a capacity to carry 24 passengers, will be used in the first phase.The round trip covering 28km will take around four hours. The proposed timings are 9am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 6.30pm.As part of the tourism service, the boat will drop passengers at Kadinamkulam jetty and then take tourists on a 30-minute cruise to enjoy the backwaters. Arrangements are also being made, in association with Kudumbashree, to provide tea and food to tourists at Kadinamkulam.For regular passengers, the fare will be Rs 50 from Veli to Channankara, Rs 30 from Channankara to Kadinamkulam and Rs 80 from Veli to Kadinamkulam. Tourists will be charged Rs 400 for a return trip between Veli and Kadinamkulam.The full fare will apply to passengers above 11 years. Children aged five to 11 will be charged 50% of the applicable fare, while children below five can travel free. The boat service is part of the larger plan for the inland waterway project in the state from Kovalam to Bekal.
