Kochi: The State water transport department (SWTD) has defended its decision to award the contract for building solar boats to North Kalamassery-based Navalt Solar and Electric Boats Pvt Ltd. In an affidavit in the Kerala High Court, the SWTD submitted that solar boats will reduce the financial burden due to the increasing fuel costs and to control environmental pollution. It said it had followed all the procedures and norms in placing supply order and it had constituted a nine-member inspection committee to supervise construction which includes three members in addition to the committee formed by the government.
SWTD director Shaji V. Nair filed the statement on a public interest litigation of P.S. Santhosh Kumar of Vazhakkapally, Cherthala, alleging corruption in the contract. The 75-seater boat is to be built for ferrying people between Cherthala and Vaikom. There is nothing unusual or deviation from rules or norms of tender. All the work and decision are under the supervision and guidance of statutory authorities and competent inspection committee approved by the government, the affidavit said. Since this is a pioneer project and a first of its kind in India, apart from the Kerala Port Survey, a group of experts were added to form a stage inspection committee to supervise the construction of the solar boat.
Also for increased standards of safety and reliability, the boat is built under IRS class withdrawing approval from head office and construction supervision by surveyors of IRS (Indian Registrar of Shipping). The construction was completed and the boat launched on November 8 and the inclination and stability test was conducted by IRS four days later. The trial run was successfully conducted on November 16. The vessel service is intended only till 7 pm and no operation at night.
