Jammu & Kashmir to boost river tourism with cruise and floating jetties

In a bid to boost tourism, the Jammu & Kashmir government is planning to take a major step to strengthen the local economy. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to develop river cruise tourism. This partnership will also create job opportunities and enhance the tourism sector in the region.

Let’s find out more:

MoU signed

The MoU was officially signed during the Chintan Shivir event in Srinagar, with prominent officials present, including Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur. Other dignitaries included Shri Satish Sharma, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Transport, Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman of IWAI. This event marked a major milestone in promoting river tourism in the region.

River Cruise Tourism

Jammu and Kashmir is home to three national waterways out of 111 in India:

River Chenab (NW-26)
River Jhelum (NW-49)
River Ravi (NW-84)

The IWAI recently announced new cruise circuits across the country, and the development of cruise tourism in J&K is an essential part of this initiative. With an estimated investment of Rs. 100 crore, the project is poised to transform the tourism landscape. The MoU outlines key infrastructure developments, including floating jetties and navigational improvements.

Under the agreement, IWAI will provide essential infrastructure to support the river cruise tourism venture. This includes:

10 floating jetties for smooth passenger boarding.
Landside facilities like waiting halls and amenities.
Dredging operations to maintain navigable waterways.
Hydrographic surveys and navigational aids to ensure safe cruising.

The jetties key locations in J&K:

River Chenab: Two jetties at Akhnoor and Reasi (near Jammu).
River Jhelum: Seven jetties at Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal, Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang (in Srinagar and Bandipora).
River Ravi: One jetty at Sohar.

Role of J&K Government

The J&K government will play a critical role in the project, assisting with land for construction, statutory clearances, and appointing cruise operators. They will also collaborate with IWAI for technical support where necessary.