Inland Waterways Authority signs MoU with Jammu and Kashmir to boost river cruise tourism

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to boost river cruise tourism on three National Waterways in J&K.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Chintan Shivir, being held in Srinagar in the presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur.

Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Satish Sharma; Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri T.K. Ramachandran; Chairman, IWAI, Shri Vijay Kumar, along with other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.

Join PSU Connect on WhatsApp now for quick updates! Click here

Read Also : THDC India organises a special one-day outbound activity for its women employees

The Inland Waterways Authority of India has been actively promoting cruise tourism in India, and the agreement with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir aims to further boost vacations, generate employment, boost economic growth, and provide a new mode of leisure/budget tourism on rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the framework of the MoU, the IWAI will provide waterside infrastructure, i.e., ten floating jetties, and landside infrastructure comprising a waiting hall and other amenities for cruise passengers.

Out of ten, two floating jetties will be installed at Akhnoor and Reasi (near Jammu) in the declared portion of River Chenab (NW-26); seven floating jetties will be at Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal/Chattabal Shrine, Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang (in Srinagar and Bandipora); River Jhelum (NW-49) will have one jetty; and one jetty will be at Sohar on River Ravi (NW-84).

Read Also : PM highlights importance of integrating UPI with RuPay KCC cards

Additionally, IWAI will develop navigational fairway by executing dredging wherever required, provide navigational aids and conduct regular hydrographic surveys for safe plying of vessels in these waterways.

The J&K government will provide land for construction of landside facilities, facilitate all statutory clearances and appoint cruise operators in identified sectors of the three National Waterways.  The IWAI will also provide any technical assistance required by Government of J&K.

Read Also : BEL receives orders worth Rs.577 Crore