West Bengal has marked a significant milestone in India’s maritime history with the launch of the fastest electric ferry in the country. This electric ferry will be the first of its kind and ply on the Hooghly River in Kolkata. The electric ferry, christened ‘Dheu’, represents a groundbreaking achievement in sustainable water transport. The word Dheu in Bengali means wave. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this newly launched ferry.
Dheu Electric Ferry: All You Need To Know About It
According to an article that was recently published by News18, the ferry was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers or the GRSE. This revolutionary vessel boasts impressive technical specifications.
The ferry is 24 metres long and is equipped with a 246 KWh liquid-cooled energy storage solution. It also features twin screw propellers for enhanced manoeuvrability. Its catamaran aluminium hull enables the vessel to achieve speeds of up to 10 knots.
It also has solar panels to provide supplementary power to the batteries. Designed with passenger comfort in mind, the air-conditioned ferry can accommodate 150 passengers! It also operates with minimal noise and vibration.
Why This Is A Huge Milestone For Maritime History In India
The vessel incorporates advanced safety features, including an automatic identification system, a satellite-based global maritime distress safety system, and internal communication facilities for crew members. A clever failsafe mechanism automatically activates a diesel generator when battery levels drop to 20 per cent, ensuring the vessel can safely reach its charging point.
The ferry service, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will connect major local and tourist attractions along the Hooghly River. These include Dakshineswar and Belur Math from Millennium Park. Operations are scheduled to commence after the Gangasagar Mela.
GRSE’s Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore PR Hari (Retired), emphasised the vessel’s significance in India’s journey towards achieving net-zero emissions. Maritime experts have lauded this development, suggesting that such electric vessels could revolutionise water transport whilst significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and river pollution.
Are you looking forward to riding on this ferry? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @haldilal/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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