Now boats will run on CNG and solar in Bihar, these are the benefits; What is Green Boat Scheme?

Actually, the river water is being polluted due to the use of petrochemicals. The smoke emanating from running diesel engines is also posing a threat to aquatic life. The Chief Secretary has given the responsibility of making the green scheme successful to the Transport Department. Instructions have been given to all DMs.

Sudhir Kumar HindustanThu, 24 Oct 2024 04:42 AM share

Now boats will run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and solar energy in the rivers and reservoirs of Bihar. The effort to save rivers from traditional petrochemicals has intensified with the Green Boat Scheme. In this regard, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has reminded the Bihar government of the instructions of the ministry. In fact, under the Sagarmala project, preparations have started to convert the existing boats into green engines.

Only a few months ago, the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways (MOPS&W) had informed the state government about the scheme and said that as many boats are running on diesel engines. Make them operational by converting them into CNG or solar.

River water is being polluted due to the use of petrochemicals. The smoke emanating from running diesel engines is also posing a threat to aquatic life. Now the Chief Secretary has given the responsibility of making the green scheme successful to the Transport Department. In this regard, all DMs have been instructed to provide the data of boats running on diesel engines in their districts to the Inland Waterways Authority of India without any delay.

Understand the Green Boat Scheme

On January 4 this year, the Waterways Ministry had issued guidelines to the states regarding the Green Boat Scheme. In this, it has been asked to prepare an action plan to achieve the targets within six months with the aim of increasing the number of green vehicles in the country by 2047. The aim is to reduce the carbon intensity of waterway based passenger transport by 30 per cent from the current level by 2030 and by 70 per cent by 2047. After reducing carbon intensity, the amount of air pollution in rivers will reduce significantly.

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Main two benefits of operating a solar boat

1. This boat running on green hydrogen i.e. CNG emits zero carbon and runs without noise. This will prove effective in climate change. This will help in reducing the impact of global warming.

2. Provides financial support as well as activities to control climate change. Running the boat’s engine using battery, solar or CNG will neither create noise nor pollute the environment with smoke etc.