New Delhi, March 6: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a partnership agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government aimed at enhancing river cruise tourism across three national waterways in the Union Territory, as per an official announcement.
This agreement is designed to stimulate tourism, create job opportunities, promote economic development, and introduce a new mode of leisure and budget-friendly tourism along local rivers.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized during the Chintan Shivir event in Srinagar, attended by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.
Of the 111 national waterways identified in India, J&K has three designated waterways: the Chenab River (NW-26), the Jhelum River (NW-49), and the Ravi River (NW-84).
Under this agreement, IWAI, operating under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, will develop waterside infrastructure, including ten floating jetties, as well as landside facilities including a waiting hall and other amenities for cruise passengers.
Specifically, two floating jetties will be set up at Akhnoor and Reasi near Jammu on the Chenab River (NW-26); seven floating jetties will be located at Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine, Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang in Srinagar and Bandipora on the Jhelum River (NW-49); and one jetty will be established at Sohar on the Ravi River (NW-84).
Furthermore, IWAI will create a navigational fairway by implementing dredging where necessary, providing navigational aids, and performing regular hydrographic surveys to ensure the safe movement of vessels on these waterways.
The J&K government will assist by providing land for the construction of landside facilities, facilitating all necessary statutory approvals, and appointing cruise operators for the identified sectors along the three national waterways, as stated in the announcement. (AGENCIES)
