SAFE launches solar e-transport initiative in Sundarbans
Times of India | 20 February 2025
123 Kolkata: The South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE), an organisation which works on sustainable environment development schemes, has come up with a project to develop energy-neutral riverine and land transport in the Sundarbans, where e-rickshaws and e-boats will be operated with the help of solar power.
The organisation has started setting up four solar power stations that will generate nearly 250 kWh of solar power daily, which will be used to operate six e-boats and 20 e-rickshaws to improve riverine and land transport services between Gosaba, Satjelia and Tipligheri Island in the Sundarbans. The project was formally launched by Sundarbans affairs department minister Bankim Hazra on Wednesday.
Four solar hubs of 10 kVA each will be set up, generating an average of 200 to 250 kWh of energy daily. This will help in running 16 e-vans and six e-boats.
SAFE founder trustee Dipayan Dey said that the project would provide green transport to nearly 10 lakh individuals annually, covering 3,000 passengers daily on average. "It will also cover a distance of close to 2.2 lakh km annually, offering a cleaner and more efficient mobility option. It will help to replace 52 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent from grid electricity. By replacing 100-110 litres of diesel fuel daily, the project will eliminate 267 to 290 kg of emissions," he said, adding that the project was expected to be completed and start functioning from April.
Only recently, Ghoramara Island in the Sundarbans became the country's first solar island after a 170 kWh capacity solar and wind power plant, developed by experts of IIT Kharagpur and CMERI Durgapur under the guidance of solar power expert Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri, started functioning at full capacity.
Kolkata: The South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE), an organisation which works on sustainable environment development schemes, has come up with a project to develop energy-neutral riverine and land transport in the Sundarbans, where e-rickshaws and e-boats will be operated with the help of solar power.
The organisation has started setting up four solar power stations that will generate nearly 250 kWh of solar power daily, which will be used to operate six e-boats and 20 e-rickshaws to improve riverine and land transport services between Gosaba, Satjelia and Tipligheri Island in the Sundarbans. The project was formally launched by Sundarbans affairs department minister Bankim Hazra on Wednesday.
Four solar hubs of 10 kVA each will be set up, generating an average of 200 to 250 kWh of energy daily. This will help in running 16 e-vans and six e-boats.
SAFE founder trustee Dipayan Dey said that the project would provide green transport to nearly 10 lakh individuals annually, covering 3,000 passengers daily on average. "It will also cover a distance of close to 2.2 lakh km annually, offering a cleaner and more efficient mobility option. It will help to replace 52 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent from grid electricity. By replacing 100-110 litres of diesel fuel daily, the project will eliminate 267 to 290 kg of emissions," he said, adding that the project was expected to be completed and start functioning from April.
Only recently, Ghoramara Island in the Sundarbans became the country's first solar island after a 170 kWh capacity solar and wind power plant, developed by experts of IIT Kharagpur and CMERI Durgapur under the guidance of solar power expert Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri, started functioning at full capacity.
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