Srinagar, March 06: In a major step towards promoting sustainable river tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the J&K government to develop cruise tourism along the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi rivers.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Chintan Shivir in Srinagar, in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and J&K Minister for Transport, Satish Sharma. Also present were IWAI Chairman Vijay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways T.K. Ramachandran, and other senior officials.
The initiative, with an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore, is aimed at enhancing tourism, generating employment, and boosting the local economy by tapping into the region’s scenic waterways. Of India’s 111 national waterways, three have been declared in Jammu and Kashmir—Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi.
Under the MoU, IWAI will install ten floating jetties and develop landside infrastructure, including waiting halls, passenger amenities, and navigation facilities. The project will include two floating jetties at Akhnoor and Reasi on Chenab river, seven seven jetties at Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine, Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang (Srinagar and Bandipora) on river Jehlum. Additionally, IWAI will execute dredging operations, provide navigational aids, and conduct regular hydrographic surveys to ensure safe and efficient cruise operations on river Ravi.
The Jammu and Kashmir government will provide land for landside facilities, facilitate statutory approvals, and appoint cruise operators for different sectors of the three national waterways. IWAI will also offer technical assistance to support the project’s implementation. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised that developing India’s waterways is a key priority for the government, with IWAI playing a crucial role in expanding river-based tourism and transport infrastructure. The success of the world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, was highlighted as a model for future initiatives.
IWAI has already undertaken major capacity augmentation projects on key waterways such as NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), and NW-3 (Kerala), and is now focusing on J&K’s rivers. With this MoU, Jammu and Kashmir will be integrated into the country’s growing network of cruise tourism circuits, alongside routes spanning from Kashmir to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat. With its picturesque landscapes and historic waterways, Jammu and Kashmir has immense potential for river-based tourism. This initiative is expected to attract domestic and international tourists, create new employment opportunities in the tourism and transport sectors, boost local businesses, including handicrafts, hospitality and food services. The collaboration between IWAI and the J&K government is set to transform the region into a premier river tourism destination, offering visitors a unique way to experience its heritage, culture, and natural beauty while contributing to economic growth and infrastructure development.
