Srinagar: District Development Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone Wednesday took the stock of the water transport in river Jhelum with a trial motor boat run from the Ghat at Grindlays Bank to Fateh Kadal Bridge.
The DDC was accompanied by Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) Sarmad Hafeez, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah and Additional Commissioner Srinagar Abdul Rashid War.
The trial of the water transport services was conducted today on the directions of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmed Khan in a meeting held on July 8, 2017.
For the trial run, two motor boats of JKTDC and one motor driven Shikara was used which moved towards Habba Kadal bridge and came back.
The DDC expressed satisfaction over the arrangement for the launch of transport services for the public.
The service has been jointly launched by JKTDC and Department of Tourism Kashmir to promote water transport and heritage tourism.
“The service will not only revive traditional water transport but also promote heritage structures on the banks of the river Jhelum,” said Farooq Lone.
Initially two motor boats which carrying capacity of 18 persons in one boat and eight persons in another boat at highly subsidized rates will introduced for locals as well as tourists.
Few motor driven traditional Shikaras will also be available which will cross through famous seven bridges in the river Jhelum.
Irrigation and Flood Control Department will be maintaining the Ghat as an anchor point for the motor boats.
Famous structures Hunuman temple, old assembly complex, old secretariat, heritage sites like Budshah tomb, famous and historic Muslim shrines like that of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani at Khankhai Moula in Srinagar besides seven heritage bridges are the important sites on the banks of the river Jhelum.
Director tourism Kashmir said the service will boost the tourism as the along the river Jhelum, there are many heritage sites which tourists will want to see.
“This will revive age old water transport services and the heritage structure and local architecture in downtown Srinagar. We are expecting locals and tourists to utilize the services. Foreign tourists are especially interested in knowing our history and centuries old architecture,” said Mahmood Ahmad Shah.
For the services, the both JKTDC and Tourism Department has also roped in the Shikaras Wallas at River Jhelum.
Director Tourism Kashmir said the proposal to introduce motor driven Shikaras in river Jhelum can be a viable alternative to rope in the existing registered Shikara wallas for operating this service on a long term basis. (KNS)
