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J&K to boost River Cruise Tourism
Why in News?
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jammu and Kashmir government to enhance river cruise tourism on three National Waterways in the region.
Key Points
- Objective of the Agreement:
- The MoU aims to enhance tourism, generate employment, and boost economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
- It will introduce a new mode of leisure and budget tourism on the region’s rivers.
- National Waterways in J&K:
- Jammu and Kashmir has three declared national waterways:
- River Chenab (NW-26)
- River Jhelum (NW-49)
- River Ravi (NW-84)
- Jammu and Kashmir has three declared national waterways:
- Development of River Cruise Infrastructure:
- The IWAI has allocated Rs 100 crore for the development of river cruise tourism in J&K.
- This initiative aligns with the vision to promote cruise tourism from Kashmir to Kerala and Assam to Gujarat, announced during the Second Meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC).
- Infrastructure to be Developed:
- IWAI will provide waterside infrastructure, including:
- Ten floating jetties
- Chenab River (NW-26): Two jetties at Akhnoor and Reasi (near Jammu).
- Jhelum River (NW-49): Seven jetties at Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine, Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang (in Srinagar and Bandipora).
- Ravi River (NW-84): One jetty at Sohar.
- Landside facilities such as waiting halls and passenger amenities.
- IWAI will provide waterside infrastructure, including:
- Navigation and Safety Measures:
- IWAI will:
- Develop navigational fairways through dredging where required.
- Provide navigational aids for safe vessel movement.
- Conduct regular hydrographic surveys.
- Responsibilities of Jammu and Kashmir:
- Provide land for landside infrastructure construction.
- Facilitate statutory clearances for project implementation.
- Appoint cruise operators for the identified river sectors.
- Seek technical assistance from IWAI when necessary.
- IWAI will:
- National Expansion of Waterways Infrastructure:
- Major efforts include:
- Capacity augmentation of NW-1, NW-2, NW-3, and NW-16.
- Developing inland waterway terminals, fairways, navigational locks, and night navigation facilities.
- Major efforts include:
- Boosting Cruise Tourism Across India:
- IWAI has undertaken multiple projects to promote cruise tourism, especially on River Ganga and River Brahmaputra.
- The successful launch of MV Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise, showcases this commitment.
Inland Waterways Authority of India
- It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
- It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.

