Water transport needs pace

In yet another step towards easing the road traffic congestion, the plans to introduce inland water transport, would serve the best in bringing respite to the people while the implementation of River Navigation Developmental Project has also been reviewed. As far as the official communique is concerned, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) study of River Jhelum (NW-49) was completed in February 2020 which recommended development of river cruise tourism in three phases. However, contrary to the government’s claims of ensuring speedy development in Jammu and Kashmir, the period since the DPR study was completed is a clear indication that how slowly the progress has been made in this regard and after elapsing four years, the launch of water transport is still nowhere in sight. The process should have been at least started from the points where the bridges don’t exist and have been delayed for a longer period. The introduction of water transport at these places on a trial basis could have served the government’s cause and also helped the local populace to cross the river Jhelum and also helped in saving the precious lives by preventing Gandbal, Batwara like incidents. Since the directions have been passed over framing the comprehensive proposal for funding and also asking IWAI to share the draft of the plan with the SSCL, the government should show some seriousness in this regard and come up with the much-needed water transport services at earliest so that the motives including promotion of tourism and reducing the burden on roads is achieved.