CS reviews rollout of Water Transport, PM E-DRIVE initiatives in J&K

Srinagar :Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Thursday reviewed the status and implementation status for introduction of inland water transport on the rivers Jhelum and Chenab, besides the rollout of electric mobility infrastructure under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme in J&K.
The meeting besides ACS, PWD was attended by Secretary, Transport; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; VC, LCMA; Representative from IWAI and other concerned officers.
Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for time-bound completion of all enabling infrastructure, including terminals, access facilities, navigation arrangements and removal of obstructions in terms of utility shifting, so that water transport can be operationalised within the set deadline.
During the meeting Chief Secretary was updated on the development of inland water transport facilities along the River Jhelum, River Chenab, and River Ravi. The Secretary Transport, Avny Lavasa, highlighted the identification of a 106-km cruise corridor on the River Jhelum, with 11 strategic terminal locations earmarked for development. A significant requirement for uninterrupted navigation is the removal of local coffer dams, with the Public Works Department tasked to clear 52 structures, of which 18 have been removed. For the River Chenab, a 9-km stretch between Reasi and Akhnoor Fort has been designated for cruise-based transport, while a 15-km stretch on the River Ravi at Sohar is also under development. The Inland Waterways Authority of India has awarded a tender for 10 hybrid eco-vessels, each capable of carrying 20 passengers, with delivery expected by March 2027. Additionally, the Chief Secretary reviewed the PM E-DRIVE Scheme aimed at establishing a robust electric vehicle charging ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 50 feasible locations for public EV charging stations have been identified across the region, including various sites in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The proposal for procuring 200 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract model has received preliminary approval from the Government of India and is being advanced through Convergence Energy Services Limited. The Chief Secretary emphasized the need for close coordination among departments to ensure the timely establishment of charging infrastructure and other necessary facilities. He underscored the importance of aligning these initiatives with J&K’s tourism, urban mobility, and environmental sustainability goals, urging strict adherence to timelines and continuous monitoring to achieve visible, sustainable, and people-centric transport solutions.