Kashmir Division Head Evaluates Water Transport Initiatives on Jhelum River
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Srinagar, Dec 7 (NationPress) Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Division in the union territory of J&K, convened a meeting on Friday to assess the plans for operating water transport on the Jhelum river.
A statement indicated that "to foster tourism and alleviate road traffic congestion through the implementation of Inland Water Transport on the Jhelum, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, presided over a meeting to review the progress of the River Navigation Developmental Project."
Alongside the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, the meeting included participants from the AHS & Project Coordinator (NW-5 & 64) of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), GOI, along with officials from SMC, SSCL, the Tourism Department, the I&FC Department of Kashmir, and a representative from the Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Initially, the Project Coordinator from IWAI provided a comprehensive presentation about the Development of River Jhelum as an Inland Waterway. He revealed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) study for River Jhelum (NW-49) was finalized in February 2020, recommending the enhancement of river cruise tourism in three phases.
"Furthermore, it was shared that the IWAI team evaluated the Phase-1 stretch (from Chhatabal to Pantha Chowk) in August 2024 to investigate options for passenger and tourism activities. He noted that the project would be completed with the aid of central funding," the statement mentioned.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner urged IWAI to develop essential infrastructure, including seventeen points for passenger embarkation and disembarkation, to conduct dredging of the river, and to install Water Level monitoring sensors and modern weirs. He also instructed the relevant representatives to establish significant hubs for Inland Water Transport.
"On this occasion, the Divisional Commissioner emphasized the necessity of creating an institutional framework for the management and regulation of water transport. He directed SSCL and IWAI to draft a comprehensive funding proposal and requested IWAI to share the draft plan with SSCL.
"Additionally, the meeting reviewed various developmental initiatives of SSCL, which included the provision of Water Side Infrastructure, Terminal Facilities, Night Navigation Aids, Maintenance of Navigational Channel, Onshore facilities, and the operation of vessels," the statement concluded.
