Kerala State Water Transport Department: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 157.119.168.210
Last edited March 12, 2026
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
refine article as per guidelines and added references
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian state government department}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
|name = Kerala State Water Transport Department
| name = Kerala State Water Transport Department
|logo = Kswtd logo.jpg
| logo = Kswtd logo.jpg
|logo_size = 150px
| logo_size = 150px
|type = Separate government department in the state of kerala.
| type = Separate government department in the state of kerala.
|foundation = 1968
| foundation = 1968
|location_city = [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]]
| location_city = [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]]
|location_country = [[India]]
| location_country = [[India]]
|location =  
| location =  
|locations = <!--# of locations-->
| locations = <!--# of locations-->
|key_people =  
| key_people =  
|area_served = Kerala
| area_served = Kerala
|industry = Public transport [[ferry]] service
| industry = Public transport [[ferry]] service
|products = Passenger and Cargo [[Ferry]]
| products = Passenger and Cargo [[Ferry]]
|services = Operates 81 boats
| services = Operates 81 boats
|revenue =  
| revenue =  
|operating_income =  
| operating_income =  
|net_income =  
| net_income =  
|num_employees =  
| owner = [[Department of Transport (Kerala)|Department of Transport]], Government of Kerala
|divisions = 13
| num_employees =  
|subsid =  
| divisions = 13
|homepage = [http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/ http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/]
| subsid =  
|dissolved =
| homepage = [http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/ http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/]
|footnotes =  
| dissolved =  
}}
}}
[[File:Aditya solar boat.jpg|thumb|238px|Aditya, India's first solar ferry]]
[[File:കായലിലെ ഒരു മോട്ടോർ ബോട്ട്.jpg|thumb|238px|SWTD ferry on service in the [[Kerala Backwaters]]]]
[[File:കായലിലെ ഒരു മോട്ടോർ ബോട്ട്.jpg|thumb|238px|SWTD ferry on service in the [[Kerala Backwaters]]]]
[[File:Junkar Service Cochin.JPG|thumb|238px|Junkar Service Fort Cochin]]
[[File:Junkar Service Cochin.JPG|thumb|238px|Junkar Service Fort Cochin]]
[[File:People coming by boat for urul nercha at Ashtamudi veerabadraswamy temple.JPG|thumb|238px|SWTD ferry at [[Ashtamudi Lake]], disembarking passengers]]
[[File:People coming by boat for urul nercha at Ashtamudi veerabadraswamy temple.JPG|thumb|238px|SWTD ferry at [[Ashtamudi Lake]], disembarking passengers]]
'''Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD)''' is a governmental department that regulates the [[inland navigation]] systems in the [[India]]n state of [[Kerala]] and provides inland water transport facilities. It stands for catering to the traffic needs of the inhabitants of the waterlogged areas of the Districts of [[Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam]], [[Kollam]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kannur]] and [[Kasaragod]].<ref>http://swtd.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=27</ref> The department is headed by the State Minister in charge of transportation.
 
'''Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD)''' is a governmental department that regulates the [[inland navigation]] systems in the [[India]]n state of [[Kerala]] and provides inland water transport facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://swtd.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=27 |title=State Water Transport Department, Government of Kerala, India - STATE WATER TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT |access-date=11 October 2012 |archive-date=18 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218124333/http://www.swtd.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The department is headed by the State Minister in charge of transportation.


This system consists of 1895 kilometers of waterways, including navigable rivers, backwaters, and man made cross canals. Most of these are in [[Travancore]]-[[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]] region. Of the 44 rivers in Kerala, 41 of the westward flowing rivers combine with back waters and man made canals to form an integral part of inland navigation system.
This system consists of 1895 kilometers of waterways, including navigable rivers, backwaters, and man made cross canals. Most of these are in [[Travancore]]-[[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]] region. Of the 44 rivers in Kerala, 41 of the westward flowing rivers combine with back waters and man made canals to form an integral part of inland navigation system.


Even through it is a commercial department, its functioning is like a service Department, ever since ‘Transportation’ came under "Essential Service" in [[Kerala]]. The Department transports about 150 lakhs of passengers per annum using Wooden/Steel and [[fibreglass]] passenger boats.
A study conducted in 2011-2012 by CPPR on Inland Water Transport in Kochi shows that around 56 percent of the passengers expressed their dissatisfaction over the quality of ferry service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2015/sep/03/more-than-half-the-passengers-unhappy-with-ferry-service-808898.html|title=More Than Half The Passengers Unhappy With Ferry Service|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-02}}</ref>
 
A study conducted in 2011-2012 by CPPR on Inland Water Transport in Kochi shows that around 56 percent of the passengers expressed their dissatisfaction over the quality of ferry service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2015/sep/03/More-Than-Half-The-Passengers-Unhappy-With-Ferry-Service-808898.html|title=More Than Half The Passengers Unhappy With Ferry Service|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-10-02}}</ref>
 
==History==
 
The Kerala State Water Transport Department formed during 1968 with its headquarters (Directorate) in the District of [[Alappuzha]]. The objective of the department was to provide transport facilities and cargo transportation to the people residing in the waterlogged areas at cheaper rates. Construction of roads, bridges and roadways shortened the operation of the department to passenger transport only, providing backwater transport through ferries. The system is free of pollution, accidents, and is affordable. The government has now mooted setting up Kerala State Boat Jetty Corporation with a vision to convert the boat jetties in Kerala to world class standards. This corporation will enhance and develop the boat jetties into commercial assets for the state. Some jetties were identified for development like Marine drive jetty, Kaavalam jetty and Kumaran jetty. Jetty-based shopping centers and cafeterias are sources of huge returns. As per the new vision every jetty will be a centre for excellent performance. Local art forms, sports meets, family meetings, marriages, proposals will be hosted in jetties. Thus people become interlaced with boat jetty inculcating in them a sense of pride, prejudice and personality. The system provides on average 79,000&nbsp;km of service to 80,000 people through its 13 stations and 81 boats daily.
 
==Organisation structure==
 
The Director is the Head of the Department, who reports to the Ministry of Transport in the state. During formation, the service operation was only in the Districts of [[Alappuzha]], [[Kottayam]] & [[Kollam]] with the headquarters in [[Alappuzha]] as its nerve centre of all the functions and activities. Later the functions and activities were decentralised by establishing an office for the Mechanical Engineer and three Regional Offices in the Districts of [[Ernakulam]], [[Kottayam]] ([[Changanassery]]) and [[Kasargode]], headed by three Senior Superintendents. Now the Department has thirteen Stations Offices as given below.
 
# [[Alappuzha]]
# [[Kottayam]]
# [[Kollam]]
# [[Edathua]]
# [[Pulinkunnu]]
# [[Nedumudy]]
# [[Muhamma]]
# [[Vaikom]]
# [[Panavally]]
# [[Thrikkarippur]]
# [[Changanassery]]
# [[Kavalam]]
# [[Ernakulam]]
The Controlling Officers of these Stations are Station Masters. The service operation of boats are under the immediate control of the Station Masters of these stations.
 
The function of the Department are trifurcated into three wings
* Management - Under the control of Administrative Assistant
* Operation - Under the Traffic Superintendent
* Repair & Maintenance -Under the Mechanical Engineer
 
==Fleet==
 
The department operates about 85 ferries all across Kerala. Earlier the Department was using only conventional type wooden (well seasoned teak wood) passenger boats for transporting passengers. Now the department has switched over to the use of modern fibreglass/steel passenger boats. It owns and operates the first and the only solar ferry in India, [[Aditya (boat)|ADITYA]], a 75-passenger boat, in the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu sector.
 
* '''Boat Capacity''' - 50 to 150 passengers (wooden boats)
* '''Speed of operation''' - 10 to 15&nbsp;km per hour
* '''Boat Size'''- Length: 20 to 35&nbsp;m, Width: 3 to 4.5 m, Depth: 2&nbsp;m
* '''Empty Weight''' - 5 to 15 tonnes
* '''Crew per boat''' - 5 max.
 
==Schedule==
 
Please visit [http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/ Official site of Kerala State Water Transport Department ] for detailed schedule, route, fare and other queries.
 
==Tourism Initiative==
 
Realising the tourism potential of Kerala, the department is attempting to garner worldwide attention, mainly of tourists. The new website ([https://web.archive.org/web/20100217035703/http://www.swtd.gov.in/ swtd.gov.in])offer details of the service trips, which are fast becoming popular among tourists as one of the most affordable modes to enjoy the beauty of the scenic [[Kerala backwaters]].<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2624610.ece</ref> The website is expected to help tourists in a major way and thus, make the department more popular among them.
 
It has interesting links, one of which is "[http://swtd.kerala.gov.in/index.php?langCode=en&compName=general&compView=placesnroute]" giving details of every trip of the department, with the starting time. A brief description of the sights one can behold en route has been provided. For instance, the 29-km Alappuzha-Edathua trip, which costs a mere Rs.10, covers some major landmarks: the finishing point of the internationally acclaimed [[Nehru Trophy Boat Race]], Chavara Bhavan, and ancient temples and lamp posts, apart from lush paddy fields.


Under the '''"Tourism"''' head, the site offers useful information on the popular [http://www.swtd.gov.in/index.php?langCode=en&compName=general&compView=alpy_kollam_boatservice '''Kollam-Alappuzha tourist boat service'''], with tariffs and other operational details.  
==Landmark projects==
[http://www.swtd.gov.in/index.php?langCode=en&compName=general&compView=seekuttanad '''SEE KUTTANADU'''] passenger-cum-tourist service is another service offered by the department.
*[[Aditya_(boat)]] - India's first solar ferry launched in 2017
*Vega - Kerala's fastest public transport ferry launched in 2018<ref>{{Cite web | title=Kerala Launches Vega 120, Its Fastest Inland Ferry, With AC Cabins And Top Speed Of 25 Kmph | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kerala-launches-its-fastest-inland-ferry-top-speed-25-kmph-ac-cabin-1943193 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105142318/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kerala-launches-its-fastest-inland-ferry-top-speed-25-kmph-ac-cabin-1943193 | access-date=2025-11-21 | archive-date=2018-11-05}}</ref>
*Kerala's first water taxi service launched in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web | title=First Water Taxi Launched In Kerala | url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/keralas-first-water-taxi-service-launched-525572.html | access-date=2025-11-21 | website=www.indiatimes.com}}</ref>
*[[Indra (boat)]] - India's first solar cruise and largest solar boat launched in 2024


==External sources==
==External sources==
[http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_watertransport/iwtrtrtrndex.htm Kerala Government Site]
[http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_watertransport/iwtrtrtrndex.htm Kerala Government Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416144852/http://www.kerala.gov.in/dept_watertransport/iwtrtrtrndex.htm |date=16 April 2007 }}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 10:14, 12 March 2026


Kerala State Water Transport Department
IndustryPublic transport ferry service
Founded1968
Headquarters
Alappuzha, Kerala
,
India
Area served
Kerala
ProductsPassenger and Cargo Ferry
ServicesOperates 81 boats
OwnerDepartment of Transport, Government of Kerala
Divisions13
Websitehttp://swtd.kerala.gov.in/
Aditya, India's first solar ferry
SWTD ferry on service in the Kerala Backwaters
Junkar Service Fort Cochin
SWTD ferry at Ashtamudi Lake, disembarking passengers

Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is a governmental department that regulates the inland navigation systems in the Indian state of Kerala and provides inland water transport facilities.[1] The department is headed by the State Minister in charge of transportation.

This system consists of 1895 kilometers of waterways, including navigable rivers, backwaters, and man made cross canals. Most of these are in Travancore-Cochin region. Of the 44 rivers in Kerala, 41 of the westward flowing rivers combine with back waters and man made canals to form an integral part of inland navigation system.

A study conducted in 2011-2012 by CPPR on Inland Water Transport in Kochi shows that around 56 percent of the passengers expressed their dissatisfaction over the quality of ferry service.[2]

Landmark projects[edit | edit source]

  • Aditya_(boat) - India's first solar ferry launched in 2017
  • Vega - Kerala's fastest public transport ferry launched in 2018[3]
  • Kerala's first water taxi service launched in 2020.[4]
  • Indra (boat) - India's first solar cruise and largest solar boat launched in 2024

External sources[edit | edit source]

Kerala Government Site Archived 16 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "State Water Transport Department, Government of Kerala, India - STATE WATER TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT". Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "More Than Half The Passengers Unhappy With Ferry Service". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  3. ↑ "Kerala Launches Vega 120, Its Fastest Inland Ferry, With AC Cabins And Top Speed Of 25 Kmph". Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "First Water Taxi Launched In Kerala". www.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kerala_State_Water_Transport_Department&oldid=463003"
Discover more