Kochi: Even as Kochi Water Metro work chugs on, the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is moving ahead with the proposal to operate solar boats from the Kochi airport to Marine Drive area to boost tourism and connectivity to the airport via the waterbody.
Two solar boats, one 17-seater and another 14-seater, are being built by Kerala-based Samudra Shipyard and Bristol Boats.
The airport company will be floating two speed launchers also, of which one has already been readied. It has been tested in Parvathy Puthanar in Thiruvana-nthapuram for airport connectivity there.
A CIAL official said that much work, however, remains left for materialising the project. “Kerala Waterwats Infrastructure Limited (KWIL) is undertaking the work in association with CIAL. Connectivity in five kilometre to Periyar from airport through Chengal Canal has to be given concrete shape in the first phase. The waterbody has to be made navigable and the banks have to be secured,” said the official.
