Steps to augment water transport in Kashmir

Authorities in Kashmir are mulling to use the large number of water bodies for transport purposes in order to ease vehicular pressure on roads of the Valley and also attract more tourists.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asghar Hassan Samoon chaired a meeting yesterday in which he asked various departments to take necessary steps to start water transport in River Jhelum, Dal, Wullar and other lakes for the benefit of locals as well as tourists, an official spokesman said.

Samoon had convened the meeting to review the modalities for water transport in the Valley.

Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama also participated in the meeting via video conferencing, the spokesman said.

Samoon said Kashmir has a number of water bodies that can be used for transportation too.

“We can use water transport for cargo transport, passenger transport and sightseeing for tourists,” he said, adding, “This will generate new avenues of employment and help in reducing the rush on road transport system too.

Samoon said a plan is envisaged to start water transport from Khanabal in Anantnag district in south Kashmir to Khadanyar in Baramulla district in north Kashmir.

He directed Srinagar Municipal Corporation to start a cleaning drive on all the 17 ghats in the city and the municipal committees to ensure that there is no littering along River Jhelum.

The Divisional Commissioner also directed assessing the feasibility of starting amphibious bus service in Srinagar city.

The routes discussed at the meeting included Watlab to Bandipora, Baramulla to Sopore, Sumbal to Manasbal and Ganderbal to Qamarwari.

The diversion of commuter rush at Panthachowk during peak hours through Jhelum was also discussed, the spokesman said.

The meeting was attended by Vice-Chairman LAWDA, Director Urban Local Bodies and officials of Regional Transport office and officials of the Traffic police.