Varanasi : The country’s first hydrogen water taxi will be seen running on the waves of the Ganges in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This hydrogen water taxi will be launched at Namo Ghat in Varanasi on Independence Day keeping in mind the pollution-free water transport in Ganga. To make the journey of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham convenient for the devotees, one hydrogen water taxi each will be operated from both the ends of Namo Ghat and Assi Ghat.
Hydrogen powered water taxi will cover this distance in less than half the time compared to other vessels. An electric engine has been fitted in it as an option. Stations are also being prepared at four ghats for availability of fuel.
Electric motor system also in hydrogen water taxi
Hydrogen powered water taxi has been prepared by Waterways Authority in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The taxi will reach Kashi in July and its operation will start for Kashi Vishwanath Dham from 15th August. For this, a final decision will be taken on the fare and fare on the basis of fuel cost. The most important thing is that the hydrogen water taxi is also being equipped with an electric motor for the option. So that in the event of fuel exhaustion, it can be powered by another engine.
That’s why charging points will also be made at fuel stations. Please tell here that only last month 10 water taxis have reached Varanasi from Bhavnagar in Gujarat. This includes water ambulance, hearse and vessels for passengers.
Pilot project will start from Kashi
There is a preparation to launch hydrogen water taxi in the Ganga river of Kashi as a pilot project. If its operation is successful, then all the vessels here will be operated with hydrogen and electric engines. After this, this method will be implemented on the vessels plying on the waterways in the Yamuna river of Agra and Mathura and in other cities of the country.
After Kashi, operations will also be done in Mathura and Agra
Officials of the Inland Waterways Authority of India said that a total of six hydrogen water taxis have been proposed. In which two each will be operated in Varanasi, Mathura and Agra. Ramesh Chandra Pandey, Assistant Conservator of Water, Inland Waterways Authority of India, told that the country’s first hydrogen taxi prepared in Bhavnagar, Gujarat will reach Varanasi by the second week of July. For its operation, a station will be built at four ghats. The operation of hydrogen water taxi will be started from 15th August.
Fuel station will be built on these ghats
A survey has been started to make hydrogen stations and charging points at four ghats for smooth movement of hydrogen water taxis landing in the Ganges. In this, this station will be built at Namo Ghat, Shivala Ghat, Ravidas Ghat and Lalita Ghat.