Passenger Boat
Mobility, 2024. For flood plains.
A passenger boat for the flood plains of Assam and Bihar that stays stable when fully loaded. Field research, concepts and models by Anushka Dasgupta.
A humanitarian crisis
Over 10,000 lives were affected in 2024 alone by boat accidents caused mostly by poor construction, overloading and bad weather. The common denominator is capsizing.
Saving lives here means a safer way to travel for people who depend on boats every day.
Current design: the chhot
Chhot boats in Assam and Bihar are built from local wood and bamboo. Their shallow draft suits rivers and wetlands, but they lack modern safety features and are easily damaged in harsh conditions.
Concept directions
- Flat-bottom pontoon: stable, high capacity, calm water
- Catamaran: wide beam, safe even fully loaded
- Flat-bottom skiff: light loads, tight waterways
- Traditional ferry: cheap, but unstable under uneven loads
Why a catamaran
- Superior stability
- High load capacity
- Shallow-water access
- Safest and most cost-effective option
Key design considerations
- Hull design
- Materials
- Stability features
- Propulsion system
- Vehicle accommodation
- Safety measures
- Regulatory compliance
- User comfort
Ideation and mockups
Load-bearing capacity improved 9 to 13 times.