Visitors to Kumarakom may soon be able to explore the famed Vembanad backwaters in a cleaner and quieter manner. The State Water Transport department (SWTD) is gearing up to introduce solar-powered tourist boats in Kumarakom, replacing diesel-powered craft with emission-free vessels that promise a more sustainable and affordable backwater experience.

The initiative, expected to be launched from Muhamma, will enable tourists to travel to popular destinations such as Pathiramanal, Kayippuram and Thanneermukkam, among others. A solar-powered boat has already been stationed at Muhamma, where it recently completed a successful trial run along the Muhamma–Kannankara–Cheepunkal–Maniyapuram route, currently served by regular passenger boats.

Officials said the service would be opened to the public once the government approves the proposal and operational details, including fares, routes and schedules, are finalised. “Locations like Kumarakom, Pathiramanal and Thanneermukkam hold significant potential for tourism. The aim is to develop tourism services centred around these areas. A proposal has been submitted to the government in this regard. Once it is approved, the services will start immediately,” an SWTD official said.

Scheduled trips

The department currently operates four to six diesel-powered tourist trips daily from Muhamma to Pathiramanal. The service, priced at ₹1,000 for a group of 10, takes around 40 minutes each way and visitors get nearly an hour to explore the island before returning. Officials said the present system, under which boats operate depending on the arrival of visitors, would give way to a fixed schedule to make the service more reliable and attractive. “At present, services are operated according to the arrival of the visitors. We plan to streamline operations with scheduled trips to attract more tourists,” said an official.

The new solar-powered vessel can accommodate 30 passengers, three times the capacity of the department’s existing tourist service, making it possible to offer trips at more economical rates. The move is expected to provide a low-cost alternative to private operators, whose tariffs often put short backwater excursions beyond the reach of many visitors. While private boats charge between ₹700 and ₹800 for a 10-minute ride from Kayippuram to Pathiramanal, a houseboat trip from Kumarakom to the island can cost up to ₹10,000.

The department also plans to extend the solar boat services beyond Muhamma with Kumarakom and Thanneermukkom identified as the next hubs as the fleet expands in the coming months. With declining patronage making diesel-operated passenger ferries increasingly uneconomical, the SWTD is also examining the feasibility of replacing conventional passenger boats operating to the interior parts of the region here with solar-powered vessels.