KANNUR: Kerala State Water Transport Department is preparing tourism friendly boat trips as they demand for water transport has increased. Twenty hi-tech boats will be available for service within three months. Routes with no private boat service will be taken over. Around 60 boats in the department are timeworn. These boats will get a makeover and the speed will be increased in order to attract tourists. These boats will take only half the time of buses in reaching its destination. Currently, the minimum rate is Rs. 4 which might be increased. Pre-booking facilities will be made available.

In the first phase, these hi-tech services will be at Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Kollam. Imported boats from Thailand will be used, which can seat around 100 passengers. Food and beverages will be made available in boats.