Science, Discovery, Tech and Environment · 28 July 2026
Electric Passenger Boats Launched on the Ganga
Exam-focused facts from the 28 July 2026 current affairs briefing.
Key facts
- The Varanasi Development Authority (VDA), in collaboration with GAIL (India) Limited, launched electric passenger boats under the Electric Boat Conversion Pilot Project.
- The first five converted electric boats were handed over to local boatmen at Namo Ghat on July 24, 2026.
- Each boat is equipped with a 15-kW electric outboard motor, a 20-kWh lithium battery pack, an EV charger, digital display, GPS tracking, and a remote monitoring system.
- The boats can complete at least three round trips between Assi Ghat and Namo Ghat on a single charge.
- The initiative is expected to reduce air, noise, and water pollution, lower carbon emissions, and cut operating costs for boatmen by 80%.
- Charging infrastructure has been installed at selected ghats to support the electric boats.