SRINAGAR: In order to promote tourism and simultaneously ease the stress of traffic on roads through operation of Inland water transport in River Jhelum, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Friday chaired a meeting to review the implementation of River Navigation Developmental Project.
Besides, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, the meeting was attended AHS & Project Coordinator (NW-5 & 64) Inland Waterways Authority of India(IWAI), GOI, officers of SMC, SSCL, Tourism Department, I&FC Department, Kashmir and representative of Administrative Secretary to Govt. Transport Department, J&K.
At the outset, Project Coordinator, IWAI, gave a detailed presentation regarding the proposal of Development of River Jhelum, Inland Waterway. He informed that Detailed Project Report (DPR) study of River Jhelum (NW-49) was completed in February 2020 which recommended development of river cruise tourism in three phases.
He also informed that the IWAI team inspected Phase-1 stretch (Chhatabal to Pantha Chowk) in August 2024 to explore possibilities of passenger/ tourism activities. He stated that the project shall be completed with the assistance of central funding. Addressing, the meeting Div Com enjoined IWAI for the development of necessary infrastructure including seventeen points for embarking and de-boarding of passengers, carrying out dredging of river, installation of Water Level monitoring sensors and modern weirs.
He also directed concerned representative for development of major hubs of Inland water transport. On the occasion, Div Com underscored the need for a constitution of institutional framework for the operation and regulation of water transport. He directed SSCL and IWAI to frame the comprehensive proposal for funding besides asking IWAI to share the draft of the plan with the SSCL. Meanwhile, the meeting also discussed various developmental plans of SSCL including provision of Water Side Infrastructure, Terminal Facilities, Night Navigation Aids, Maintenance of Navigational Channel, Onshore facilities and operation of vessels.
