The report claiming that Jammu and Kashmir is set to enter a new era of inland water tourism with the introduction of river cruise services at multiple locations across the Union Territory under a major infrastructure initiative being implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has given many stakeholders a reason to celebrate. Of course, this project will be a boon for the people associated with this initiative, as it will boost tourism, create employment opportunities, and give a new direction to the region’s tourism potential, as no such facility previously existed in the region. Under this project, the government is planning to develop floating jetties and modern passenger facilities along the designated waterways.
The report has averred that ten locations, three in Jammu Division and rest in the Valley have been identified for this endeavour envisaged on the lines of jetties wooing tourists in River Mandovi in Goa’s capital Panaji. In Jammu division, the places include Akhnoor and Reasi on the Chenab River and Sohar on the Ravi River in Kathua while in Kashmir the spots are Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Shah-e-Hamdan, Safa Kadal (Chattabal), Sumbal Bridge, and Gund Prang. The initiative has good prospects and is surely going to attract hundreds of tourists to the aforementioned places apart from the traditional attractions of J&K.
J&K has presently three notified national waterways including Nos. 26, 49 and 84 on rivers Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi respectively. This initiative will break the monotony which the visitors have been experiencing in the UT for decades as it is likely to offer unique experience in new places of the UT involving totally new service providers along with a chance to cherish scenic beauty, culture, and heritage of the Union Territory while contributing to regional economic growth. Although everything related to this project seems to be up to the mark, what is more important is to take care of the safety of the people and the staff, which is a vital issue and needs priority focus. As seen in lakes across Kashmir, people seldom wear life jackets, which is a wrong practice. Therefore, before commencing jetty and passenger transport services, the people at the helm should make it a point that no one should be allowed to board cruises without taking adequate precautions, as safety is paramount. The project has all the ingredients to become an instant hit and, therefore, the government should speed up work to realize this dream initiative as soon as possible to add more revenue to the exchequer and lead the UT to new heights of progress and prosperity.
