ALLEPPEY: The country's first solar cruise 'Indra' will dock in Kochi backwaters in April. The construction of 'Indra', the dream project of the Water Transport Department, has been completed and battery charge testing has started at the private yard in Panavally.

The cruise control system on the Fiber Catamaran is French made. Runs on solar and electricity. Where 10,000 rupees worth of diesel is required, 500 rupees worth of solar power will suffice. Private boats charge Rs 150 to Rs 300 per person per hour for sightseeing in Kochi backwaters. 150 rupees is enough for Indra for three hours. You can also visit more places. Half an hour will be allowed to visit the Mattancherry Synagogue.

• 22 meters long
• 8 meters wide
• 3 crores for construction cost
• 100 seats
• A party can be organized upstairs
• Airconditioned cruise

Service route

• Fort Kochi
• Mattanchery
• Kamalakadav
• Vallarpadam

• Two trips a day
• A trip is three hours
• Time: 10 am, 3 pm
• Rs 150 Kudumbashree meal per person

There will be a revival in the field of tourism. You can visit more places at a lower cost. Since it is a solar engine, there is no water pollution - Shaji V Nair, Director, Department of Water Transport