Kerala really seems to be on a winning streak of late. The state has been lauded for its efficient management of the pandemic, lockdown and its coronavirus cases.

This week, it was in the news again when it achieved a milestone in its journey towards eco-friendly travel and tourism options.

The Aditya, India&rsquos first solar-powered ferry boat, was awarded the Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The low cost passenger ferry operating in Vemabanad backwaters won the award after competing against five other finalists from Europe in the public transport category. The award is instituted in memory of French electrical engineer and pioneer in electric cars and boats Gustave Trouvé. 

Currently the ferry operates between Thavanakadavu in Alappuzha and Vaikom in Kottayam district. It has an eco-sounder, GPS, hydraulic steering, and an automatic pump to remove water from the haul.

The award citation reads "The Aditya, from Navalt Boats, is a sun-powered commuter ferry that is one of the great stories of the future of electric marine propulsion. Every day, she makes 22 trips with 75 people on board &ndash that&rsquos 5,80,000 people a year &ndash and the charging cost to top up the batteries is $2.60 a day &ndash preventing the burning of 58,000 litres of diesel and saving $4,612,000- $65,000 a year."

Designed by the Department of Ship Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, The Aditya has opened up numerous avenues for development and is a boost to startup companies. 

The good news is that five more Adityas will be handed over to the government by the end of this year. Here's hoping other states get inspired by this development and start thinking up more eco-friendly travel options soon.