Veli-Kadinamkulam Solar Boat Service To Start On September 30

The Veli-Kadinamkulam solar boat service will start on September 30 as a passenger-cum-tourism operation linking Veli, the Parvathy Puthanar canal and Kadinamkulam Lake.

Four-hour round trip from Veli

The service is planned as a round trip beginning at the Veli Tourism Village boat jetty, travelling through the Parvathy Puthanar canal to Kadinamkulam Lake, and returning to Veli.

The route has been designed to circle the Kadinamkulam backwaters before the boat comes back to Veli.

The full journey will take four hours, combining regular passenger movement with a tourism experience on the backwaters.

The one-way stretch covers 14 kilometres and takes two hours in one stretch.

The proposed daily slots are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Although the plan is to operate two services daily, only one service will run in the first phase.

The initial phase will use a solar boat leased from CIAL (Cochin International Airport Limited).

The boat can carry 24 passengers at a time.

Tourism component on the backwaters

As part of the tourism service, the boat will drop passengers at the Kadinamkulam jetty and then cruise for half an hour so that tourists can enjoy the scenic backwaters.

Authorities have also arranged tea and food for tourists in collaboration with Kudumbashree when the boat returns to the Kadinhamkulam jetty.

The service is being positioned as a boost to inland water tourism in the capital.

It is also meant to benefit regular commuters, with the fare structure separated for tourists and regular passengers.

Separate fares for commuters and tourists

For regular passengers, the standard fare is ₹50 from Veli to Channankara.

The fare from Channankara to Kadinamkulam is ₹30.

The fare from Veli to Kadinamkulam is ₹80.

Tourists will be charged ₹400 for a round trip between Veli and Kadinhamkulam.

These full fares apply to individuals above the age of 11.

Children aged between 5 and 11 will have to pay 50% of the standard fare.

Travel will be completely free for children under the age of 5.

Inauguration at Veli Tourism Village

The service is part of the State Water Transport department’s 100-day action plan.

Transport Minister C.P. John will inaugurate the passenger-cum-tourism boat service at the Veli Tourism Village on Wednesday.

Ramya Haridas MLA will preside over the function.

The launch brings together a solar-powered vessel, a scheduled inland water route and a tourism add-on through the Kadinamkulam backwaters.

The first phase will therefore begin with a single leased solar boat, limited to 24 passengers, while the wider plan provides for two daily services.

The fare design keeps commuter trips on the Veli-Channankara-Kadinamkulam stretch separate from the ₹400 tourism round trip.

Published - September 29, 2026 04:27 pm IST.

Source: The Hindu