Kolkata launches first boat library | Fusion - WeRIndia

Book reading has been slowly reducing in students over the past few years. There are very few students who read in libraries. Besides, many children and youngsters are opting for novel methods.

To instil the reading habit in children, the West Bengal Transport Corporation launched a library on a boat. This unique initiative was taken on Republic Day.

It is the first library on a boat in the state launched by the West Bengal Transport Corporation in association with a heritage book store.

Young Readers’ Boat Library has more than 500 books in English and Bengali.

Children can enjoy sightseeing during their journey on the Hooghly River while reading books.

The boat journey is a three-hour trip. Hence, children can have sufficient time from choosing a book to finish it.

One trip includes to and from Millenium Park to Belur Math jetty. There are three trips per day and these trips will be available on all weekdays.

Cost of the trip is ₹50 for children and ₹100 for adults. The boat has a free Wi-Fi facility as well.  Apart from book reading, children can also have fun with various other activities like storytelling, poetry, dramatised readings, music and many more.

However, this is not the first time for the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) to launch such a unique library. In September 2020, the WBTC launched a tram library in Kolkata. The library has books and magazines. These include normal books, general knowledge books etc.

Tram library travels between Shyambazar and Esplanade. There are over 30 educational institutes in that route and the library aims to help all those students. It has a free Wi-Fi connection. Students can use this opportunity to read books while travelling in the tram.

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