Srinagar, May 14: Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness the rollout of modern inland water transport services as the administration, in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), accelerates work on major river transport and cruise tourism projects across the Union Territory.
The progress of the ambitious initiative was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Atal Dulloo in Srinagar. Senior officials from the Transport Department, IWAI and allied departments attended the meeting to assess ongoing works and resolve coordination issues.
The project aims to develop sustainable and eco-friendly transport infrastructure along the rivers Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi, with a focus on cruise tourism, passenger mobility and navigational facilities under various National Waterways.
Officials informed the meeting that significant progress has been achieved on National Waterway-49 along the river Jhelum, where a 76-kilometre cruise corridor from Pantha Chowk to Wular Lake is under development. Construction of eight floating jetties is underway and expected to be completed by July 2026, while shore infrastructure is targeted for completion by July 2027.
IWAI officials further stated that navigational aids are likely to be installed by July 2026, while dredging and fairway maintenance operations are being jointly carried out to ensure smooth navigation.
As part of the green mobility initiative, IWAI is also procuring ten hybrid electric boats with a capacity of 20 passengers each. The vessels are expected to be delivered by March 2027.
In the Jammu region, inland cruise infrastructure is being developed on the Chenab under National Waterway-26, covering a nine-kilometre stretch between Reasi and Akhnoor Fort. Meanwhile, a 15-kilometre cruise corridor is also proposed on the Ravi under National Waterway-84 in Jammu district.
Chairing the meeting, the Chief Secretary stressed inter-departmental coordination for timely completion of the projects, stating that inland waterways hold immense potential for tourism, employment generation and sustainable economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
