The Government of Kerala introduced a newbuild ferry into service on November 4.
The 25- by seven-metre catamaran, which has been named Vega 120, is now the fastest inland ferry plying Kerala's waters with a maximum speed of 13.85 knots. All other existing ferries plying the same routes have a top speed of around seven knots.
The vessel was built by Navgathi Marine Design and Constructions and is owned and operated by the Kerala State Water Transport Department.
Vega 120 has a marine grade GRP hull, twin 126kW diesel engines, a crew of four, and passenger capacity of 40 in air-conditioned cabins and 80 in non-air-conditioned cabins.