Today marks nine years since the inauguration of Aditya, India’s first solar-powered ferry — a boat that didn’t just sail, but transformed an entire sector.
In these nine years, Aditya has quietly delivered outcomes that even we did not imagine at the start:
- 3 million passengers transported safely and reliably
- 204,000 km of operations without using a single drop of fuel
- 300,000 liters of diesel saved
- ₹2.8 crore in direct fuel cost savings
- 781 tonnes of CO₂ emissions prevented
These numbers speak for themselves. In the last nine years, the only major maintenance was the replacement of the cells (in the battery) after the seventh year and zero maintenance on the motors. Aditya proved that clean mobility on water is not only possible, but economically superior.
And there’s a wonderful coincidence this January.
Exactly as we celebrate this nine-year milestone, four next-generation solar ferries of the Aditya Series (Version 2) are being delivered to the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) this month.
The new version brings major upgrades:
🔸 Higher-capacity batteries for longer range (100 km)
🔸 Advanced propulsion for improved efficiency (90%)
🔸 Steerable pods for superior maneuverability and control
Aditya Version 2 builds on a proven platform and pushes efficiency further — delivering an exceptionally low operating cost of just 4 paisa per passenger-kilometre.
With these advancements, Aditya series strengthens the case for solar electric ferries as the most cost-effective, scalable, and climate-positive solution for water transport worldwide.
Sandith Thandasherry 