Bhubaneswar: Solar powered or battery operated boats will soon ply in Chilika lake. Preparations are underway by the State government in this regard. The move is aimed at reducing pollution and carbon emission in Chilika lake.
A proposal in this regard was presented by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) on Friday. The proposal was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena.
Additional Chief Secretary Energy Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Director Tourism Sachin Ramchandra Yadav and senior officials of Forest & Environment, Animal Resources, Fisheries departments, Pollution Control Board and OREDA attended the meeting.
It has been observed that plying of diesel powered boats is causing various types of pollution–water pollution, air pollution, and sound pollution.
Though solar powered or battery operated boats are bit expensive initially, annual maintenance and management of these are less. While it was decided that OREDA will launch a pilot project, the techno-commercial aspects will be studied.
The existing fishing and tourist boats will be converted to solar powered electric boats by making necessary changes to their design. Fishermen, tourist boat operators and all other stakeholders to be benefitted will be sensitized on the easy management and maintenance of the new boats.
OREDA will execute the pilot project with cooperation from Energy Department, OTDC, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department, Forest & Environment and Climate Change Department.
OREDA has been directed to make necessary preparations for operating solar powered boats at different places of Chilika in the initial phase.
