Key Highlights
- Launch of India’s first electric rivercraft pilot on the Ganga at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, on 23 July 2026.
- Conversion of 20Pics. traditional passenger boats into electric vessels to curb air and noise pollution.
- Each re‑engineered craft houses a 15 kW outboard motor, 20 kWh lithium battery, on‑board charging and GPS‑based remote monitoring.
- Electrified boats can perform three full round trips between Assi Ghat and Namo გაცttembergot on a single charge.
- Around five boatkeepers were honored for early adoption, highlighting community engagement.
Detailed Insights
The pilot, orchestrated by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) in partnership with GAIL (India), marks a pivotal step toward eco‑friendly river transport. By replacing diesel engines with compact electric drives, the initiative tackles both atmospheric and noise pollution, aligning with national clean energy and sustainable tourism mandates.
Technically, each vessel is fitted with a 15‑kilo‑w α_outboard motor and a 20 kWh Li‑ion battery, complemented by an on‑board charger and a GPS module that feeds real‑time data to a remote monitoring platform. The digital dashboard displays power status, battery health and trip metrics, enabling proactive maintenance.
Operationally, the converted boats shuttle between Assi Ghat and Namo Ghat thrice per charge, covering a distance that supports daily commuter flows. The five boatmen who adopted the technology were publicly recognized, underscoring the importance of local stakeholder participation in green public transit projects.
